Appeals Council Statistics for Social Security Disability
If a Social Security Disability or SSI claimant loses at a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), the next step of the process often is an appeal before the Appeals Council (AC). At the AC, the SSA looks to determine if the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence or errors of law were committed requiring reversal or remand. The SSA recently released statistics about the AC for 2013.
In 2013, the AC processed 176,251 requests for review, which was a 6% increase over 2012, but new receipts of requests for review actually declined. The average processing time at the AC was 364 days! Out of the claims processed, the dispositions were as follows:
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Review denied in 76.87% of cases;
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Remands in 17.11% of cases;
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Dismissals in 4.15% of cases;
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Fully Favorable Decisions in .8% of cases;
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Partially Favorable Decisions in .65% of cases; and
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Unfavorable Decisions in .42% of cases.
Unfortunately, these statistics are similar to those are to the Application and Reconsideration levels in terms of successful determinations for claimants.
If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, VA disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website. Our office handles claims throughout East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Rogersville, Dandridge, Tazewell, New Tazewell, Jefferson City, Strawberry Plains, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Loudon, Kingston, Halls, Maynardville, Crossville, Cookeville, Jamestown, Sweetwater, Lenoir City, Athens, Oak Ridge, Clinton, LaFollette, Lake City, Jacksboro, Bean Station, Cosby, Newport, White Pine, Mosheim, Wartburg, Sunbright, Pigeon Forge, Greeneville, Harriman, Dayton, Spring City, and Deer Lodge.