Understand Social Security’s Decision

Social Security usually takes three to four months to look over your application and decide if you should get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Once they've decided, they'll send you an award letter or a denial letter to tell you about their decision.

These letters can be confusing. If you have questions, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) or Chat with a Hub expert.

If you disagree with Social Security’s decision, you can file an appeal.

Understand an Award Letter

An award letter tells you:

• How much you’ll get in SSI benefits each month
• When the benefits will be paid
• How much you’ll get in retroactive (past) benefits, based on the date you applied for SSI
• When Social Security will review your medical condition again — usually three to seven years after you start getting benefits

After you get your award letter, your SSI benefits will go into your bank account automatically each month. If you don’t have a bank account, you can have your SSI benefits put onto a Direct Express debit card that you can use to buy things.

Understand a Denial Letter

A denial letter tells you why your SSI application was turned down. The most common reasons are:

• Social Security didn't have enough evidence to show that your medical condition keeps you from working.
  • If the letter says your doctor, psychiatrist, or school did not send records they were supposed to send, you can get these reports yourself and send them with your appeal.
• You have more countable resources than the $2,000 limit ($3,000 for couples).
• Your total countable income is too high for you to qualify for SSI.
• You have more earned income than the Substantial Gainful Activity level of $1,550 per month.

Note: When you apply for SSI, Social Security also checks to see if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you get an SSDI denial letter, it doesn't mean you’ve been turned down for SSI. Read the letter carefully — an actual SSI denial letter says “Supplemental Security Income” at the top.

Filing an Appeal

If you feel that Social Security’s decision is incorrect, you can file an appeal:

• File your appeal quickly. After you get a denial letter, you have 60 days to file an appeal. If you don’t appeal within 60 days, you may not be able to appeal.
  • If you were already getting SSI and are appealing a change in your benefits amount or an overpayment notice, appeal within 10 days. If you do, you might keep getting the same SSI benefits amount until Social Security decides on your appeal.
  • Note: Social Security figures that you get a letter within five days after they sent it.
• You can file your appeal online or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) and ask them to send you an SSI appeal form. If you file online, you need to mail or deliver any new information about your situation to Social Security.
• You have the right to have a lawyer or other qualified person (familiar with you and with the SSI program) represent you during the appeal process. You can choose to do it yourself, but if you get help, you may be more likely to win your appeal.
  • To get help from somebody in your area, contact an agency listed in the Social Security Benefits Advocacy Directory or Chat with a Hub expert.

Note: If your SSI application is denied and you disagree with the decision, file an appeal. Do not just fill out the application forms again — that would be refiling. If you appeal and win, your benefits will be paid back to the date you first applied. If you refile, any benefits you get will be based on your new application date and you will not get any past benefits you might have gotten.