If you were recently denied Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income SSI , you may request an appeal. Generally , you have 60 days after you receive the notice of our decision to ask for any type of appeal. There are four levels of appeal : Reconsideration , Hearing by an administrative law judge , Review by the Appeals Council , and Federal Court review Please see the bottom of page for information on the Federal Court Review Process. You can request an appeal online for a reconsideration, a hearing by an administrative law judge, and a review by the Appeals Council, even if you live outside of the United States. When we made the first determination on your claim , we sent you a letter explaining our determination. This letter contains guidance on what level of appeal you should select. To learn more about each appeal level , visit Information About Social Security's Hearings and Appeals Process. 

Request a Reconsideration Online for a Medical Determination 
If your disability claim was recently denied for medical reasons , you can request an appeal online. A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first determination. We will look at all the evidence submitted used in the original determination, plus any new evidence. Request Medical ReconsiderationContinue Request for Medical Reconsideration You Started 

Request a Reconsideration Online for a Non-Medical Determination 
If you received a non - medical determination letter from us that you disagree with or you were denied for a reason that is not disability related for example: income, resources, overpayments, living arrangements, you can request a non - medical appeal online. Request Non - Medical Reconsideration 

Check the Status of Your Reconsideration 
Whether you applied online, by phone, or in an office , you can check the status of your disability and SSI Reconsideration using your personal my Social Security account. A my Social Security 

user: Is there any way for me to check to see how my disability hearing is going?

assistant: Whether you applied online , by phone , or in an office , all you have to do to check is log on to your my Social Security account. A my Social Security account an easy , convenient , and secure way to do business with us .

assistant: Do you have a my Social Security account?

user: no I don't...I think

user: I won't need it now, can I ask something else? If I get denied and I want a review, what does the Appeals Council do?

assistant: The Appeals Council looks at all requests for review but it may deny a request if it believes the hearing decision was supported and in accordance with social security law and regulations .

user: so if they say no to me then I'm out of luck?

assistant: If you disagree with the Appeals Council 's decision , or if the Appeals Council decides not to review your case you can file a civil suit in a federal district court .This is the last level of the appeals process.  This process is not available online .

user: and if I'm denied benefits I can appeal to the Council when I want?

assistant: You may request an appeal and you have 60 days after you receive the notice of our decision to ask for any type of appeal