Social Security Advisory Board, Part I

 Posted on March 01, 2012 in Social Security Disability

The Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB) in February published an extensive document discussing the Social Security disability system entitled, "Aspects of Disability Decision Making: Data and Materials." In that document, the SSAB produced a number of different statistical charts and graph composites of the data they collected.  One such graph discussed the combined Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income allowance rates at each adjudicative level from 1986-2010.

A common trend throughout the years is that if you appeal a denial of Social Security disability benefits to the hearing level, your chances of getting approved increase significantly.  Whereas the approval rates at the initial application level throughout the years typically varied between 30-40%, the approval rates at the hearing level are approximately 20% higher. It should also be noted that if your application is denied, statistically you will have to appeal again to the hearing level to have a chance.  The approval rates at the reconsideration level are an abysmal 10-20%.