This decision can affect how much money you ultimately receive — so it’s worth understanding what’s at stake before choosing.
When you appeal, you’re continuing your original claim rather than starting over. That matters because your effective date — the date your benefits are considered to begin — is tied to your original application date. If you appeal and win, benefits can potentially be paid back to that earlier date. If you instead file a new application, you give up your original claim and its earlier filing date. Even if the new application is approved, benefits typically can’t start any earlier than the new filing date — meaning you could lose months or years of back benefits you’d otherwise have been entitled to.
Filing a new application instead of appealing also closes the door on challenging the original decision — once the appeal deadline passes, that decision becomes final.
However, the right approach depends on the type of denial, the appeal deadline, and whether your circumstances have changed. The denial notice and your claim history should be reviewed before deciding how to proceed.
For broader information about disability applications, denials, hearings, and the types of claims the firm handles, visit Bailey & Galyen’s Social Security Disability practice area page.
If your Social Security Disability claim has been denied, call Bailey & Galyen to ask questions about the decision and learn what appeal options may be available. The firm offers free consultations for Social Security Disability matters.
