The appeal deadline (the deadline to file an appeal after a social security disability claim has been denied) is always sixty days from the date of a claim's last denial. This date is usually stamped on the first page of the denial letter in the upper right hand corner.

So, if a claimant receives a notice of denial after an initial claim has been filed, the claimant has 60 days to submit a request for reconsideration. If a claimant receives a notice of denial after a reconsideration has been submitted, the claimant has 60 days to submit a request for hearing (before an administrative law judge).

Appeals should always be filed timely, before the appeal period expires.

A failure to appeal in a timely manner will result in having to start over at the very beginning, i.e. filing a brand new claim. That is, of course, unless a claimant can demonstrate "good cause" for appealing after the deadline has passed.

Reasons falling under the good cause umbrella usually include illness, hospitalization, comprehension problems due to mental infirmity, or other circumstances beyond a claimant's control.

Note: though claimants are generally never told this, the social security office will allow an extra five days for mailing time for the purpose of submitting an appeal.

In other words, though, technically, appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date of a claim's last denial, in actuality the social security administration gives claimants 65 days for submitting a timely appeal.

Claimants who wish to win their claims for continuing and past due benefits, of course, should always appeal immediately after a denial.