SSDI Denial Appeal Guide for Claimants in Connecticut

Introduction: Why This Guide Matters to Connecticut Claimants

Every year, thousands of Connecticut residents apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to replace lost wages when a serious medical condition keeps them from working. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), nearly two-thirds of initial SSDI applications nationwide are denied. Connecticut applicants face similar statistics, and the frustration of a denial can be overwhelming. The good news is that a denial is not the end of the road—you have specific federal appeal rights and Connecticut-based resources that can help you fight back. This guide explains those rights, the detailed federal rules that govern appeals, and the local steps you can take—from Bridgeport to Hartford—to improve your chances of success.

This article is slightly claimant-oriented—meaning we focus on strategies to help you, the Connecticut applicant, present the strongest possible case. All information comes from authoritative sources, including the Social Security Act, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), official SSA publications, and published federal court decisions. We do not speculate or rely on anecdotal evidence.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights in Connecticut

What Is SSDI?

SSDI is a federal insurance program funded through payroll taxes (FICA). It provides monthly cash benefits to workers who have earned sufficient quarters of coverage and have a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Because it is a federal program, the basic eligibility rules are the same nationwide, but local execution—such as where your hearing is held—occurs in Connecticut.

Key Legal Entitlements

• Right to a Written Decision: SSA must issue a written notice explaining the reason for denial under Section 205(b) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §405(b).

• Right to Appeal: Under 20 C.F.R. §404.900, every claimant may pursue a four-level administrative appeal before filing any lawsuit.

• Right to Representation: You may hire a Connecticut disability attorney or authorized representative at any stage. Representation fees are capped by 42 U.S.C. §406(a) and 20 C.F.R. §404.1725.

• Right to Access Your File: 20 C.F.R. §401.35 entitles you to review and copy the medical and vocational evidence SSA used.

Connecticut’s Role in the Process

Although SSDI is governed by federal law, Connecticut’s Disability Determination Services (DDS), located in Hartford, makes the initial medical decision for Connecticut residents. Hearings are typically held in the Hartford Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) or, for coastal residents, the New Haven OHO. Understanding where your file is handled can speed up communication and submission of new evidence.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

1. Lack of Medical Evidence

SSA applies the five-step sequential evaluation process at 20 C.F.R. §404.1520. If your records do not substantiate a “severe impairment” at Step Two, denial is likely. In Connecticut, claimants who receive treatment at Yale New Haven Hospital or Hartford Hospital sometimes fail to obtain complete records before applying, leading to avoidable denials.

2. Residual Functional Capacity Findings

Even when Connecticut DDS agrees you are impaired, its medical consultants may find you can still perform past work or “other work” in the national economy (Steps Four and Five). Vocational analyses rely on databases like the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and may not reflect real-world Connecticut job markets.

3. Technical Non-Eligibility

• Insufficient Work Credits: Claimants under 24 generally need 6 credits in the last 3 years; older workers need up to 20 credits in the past 10 years.

• Excess Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Earning more than the monthly SGA threshold (e.g., $1,470 in 2023 for non-blind claimants) before your alleged onset date triggers technical denial.

4. Failure to Cooperate

Missing consultative exams scheduled by Connecticut DDS or failing to respond to evidence requests almost guarantees denial under 20 C.F.R. §404.1518.

5. Prior Denial Not Appealed

If you re-file instead of appealing, SSA may apply “administrative res judicata,” refusing to reconsider earlier periods. Connecticut claimants often lose retroactive benefits in these situations.

Federal Legal Protections & Key Regulations

Important Statutes & CFR References

• 42 U.S.C. §423(d) – Defines “disability” for SSDI purposes.

• 42 U.S.C. §405(b) – Guarantees the right to a hearing.

• 20 C.F.R. §404.900 – Describes the four-step administrative appeal process.

• 20 C.F.R. §404.1520 – Outlines the sequential evaluation.

• 20 C.F.R. §404.968 – Appeals Council review rules.

Appeal Deadlines

Under 20 C.F.R. §404.909 and §404.933, you have 60 days from receipt of any unfavorable decision to file your next appeal. SSA assumes you received the letter within five days of the date on the notice, giving you effectively 65 days. Missing this deadline means you may have to show “good cause,” such as hospitalization at Hartford Hospital, under 20 C.F.R. §404.911.

Evidence Submission Rules

At the hearing level, you must submit all written evidence no later than five business days before the hearing date (20 C.F.R. §404.935). However, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) may still accept late evidence for good cause, including unavoidable delays in obtaining records from Connecticut medical providers.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

Step 1: Request Reconsideration

File SSA Form SSA-561 or submit an online request within 60 days. In Connecticut, send any paper forms to Disability Determination Services, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Consider adding updated treatment notes from local clinics such as UConn Health or Yale Medicine.

Step 2: Request an ALJ Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, request a hearing with an ALJ via SSA-HA-501. Hearings for Connecticut claimants are generally assigned to:

• Hartford OHO, 135 High Street, 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

• New Haven OHO, 150 Court Street, 3rd Floor, New Haven, CT 06510

You may choose an in-person, telephone, or video hearing. Telephone and Microsoft Teams hearings became more common after 2020.

Step 3: Appeals Council Review

If the ALJ disagrees with you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia. Submit arguments via SSA-HA-520, explaining errors in the ALJ’s decision—such as misapplying 20 C.F.R. §404.1520a for mental health conditions.

Step 4: Federal District Court

Exhausting administrative remedies lets you file a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (Hartford, New Haven, or Bridgeport federal courthouses) within 60 days of the Appeals Council’s final decision, per 42 U.S.C. §405(g).

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Advantages of Hiring a Connecticut Disability Attorney

• Evidence Development: An attorney can subpoena missing hospital imaging from Hartford Hospital or request opinion letters from Yale specialists.

• Cross-Examination: At hearings, vocational experts often testify. An experienced attorney can challenge unreliable job numbers under Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1148 (2019).

• Contingent Fees: By law, fees are generally limited to 25% of past-due benefits or $7,200 (whichever is less) without affecting ongoing checks.

Connecticut Attorney Licensing Basics

Only attorneys admitted to the Connecticut Bar may independently represent claimants in state courts. For SSDI administrative hearings, non-attorney advocates certified by SSA may also appear, but hiring a licensed Connecticut lawyer ensures knowledge of both federal and local procedural nuances.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Connecticut SSA Field Offices

• Bridgeport: 3885 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606

• Hartford: 960 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

• New Haven: 150 Court Street, New Haven, CT 06510

• Stamford: 2 Landmark Square, Stamford, CT 06901

Disability Support Services in Connecticut

Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) – Vocational rehab for disabled workers. Connecticut Legal Rights Project – Free legal aid for low-income residents with psychiatric disabilities. SSA Appeals Information – Official SSA page to start an online appeal. Connecticut Bar Association Lawyer Referral – Find licensed attorneys statewide.

Key Takeaways

• A denial is common but appealable. Act within 60-day deadlines.

• Strengthen your file with complete Connecticut medical evidence.

• Know the four-step appeal ladder and when federal court becomes necessary.

• Consider engaging a qualified Connecticut disability attorney early.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for Connecticut residents and is not legal advice. Laws and procedures change. Consult a licensed Connecticut attorney about your specific situation.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.