Question:

I applied for disability benefits, but my claim was denied. The 60 days I have to appeal are almost up. What is the fastest way for me to appeal the decision?

Answer:

Some people know that when you apply for disability benefits from Social Security, you have the right to appeal the decision you do not agree with. Not many people know that now you can file an appeal over the Internet. Doing it online can help speed the process and assist Social Security in serving you better. The Internet Appeal process is a fast, convenient, secure way to appeal a decision on your Social Security disability claim that you don’t agree with. You can file your appeal online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal. To use the Internet Appeal process, you need to have applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits and been denied for medical reasons. Please remember to have your denial notice with you when you begin this process because you will need to refer to it. When you use the Internet Appeal process, just as when you appeal in a Social Security office, there are two steps you’ll need to take. First, complete the Appeal Request. It will ask you questions about yourself, such as updated information on your address, your disabling condition and your work. Second, complete the Appeal Disability Report. This section will ask you detailed questions about your medical history, such as updates in your medications, doctor and hospital visits. In this section, we want to learn all we can about your disabling condition. After you have completed the two sections of the Internet Appeal, you will be ready to review and submit your information. You will have the opportunity to print a copy of your appeal for your records, but you will not have to mail a copy to us. Just submit the appeal electronically.

Question:

I am retired and part of my income is from a monthly withdrawal from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Are the IRA withdrawals considered “earnings?” Could they potentially reduce my monthly Social Security benefits?

Answer:

No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net profit if you are self-employed. Non-work income such as annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains and other government benefits are not counted and will not affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by government pensions earned through work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Oscar Garcia is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration. You can send your questions to him at: SSA, 727 E. Durango Blvd, Room B701, San Antonio, Texas, 78206. You can also email him at oscar.h.garcia@ssa.gov.