Social Security disability
Appeal Cover Letter for Social Security
A short cover letter to print or copy. It goes with your appeal. It does not start the appeal by itself.
This letter does not start your appeal.
The official form for your level, or the online appeal, is what starts it. Send the letter with it. Forms and online links:
- Reconsideration: SSA-561 — Request for Reconsideration · Ask online
- Hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ): HA-501 — Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge · Ask online
- Appeals Council review: HA-520 — Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order · Ask online
- If Social Security says your benefits are ending after a review: SSA-789 — Request for Reconsideration - Disability Cessation. If SSA says your disability has ended after a review, you can ask to keep getting benefits while you appeal. Appeal and ask for continued benefits within 10 days of getting the notice (SSA allows 15 days from the notice date, counting mail). Use Form SSA-792.
You have 60 days to appeal each decision. Check your last day with the deadline calculator
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Last checked: November 2026