SSDI Denial & Appeals Guide – Indiana, IN

Introduction: Why This Guide Matters to Hoosiers

Indiana workers who become disabled rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to replace lost income and pay for essential living costs. Yet the Social Security Administration (SSA) initially denies roughly two-thirds of all SSDI applications nationwide, and Indiana statistics track closely with this national average. A denial is not the end of the road. Under federal law you have clearly defined appeal rights and deadlines. This 2,500-plus word guide explains—in plain English—how Indiana residents can protect their rights, gather the strongest possible evidence, and navigate each stage of the appeals process.

Throughout this guide you will see citations to federal regulations (for example, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505) and sections of the Social Security Act (for example, 42 U.S.C. § 423). All references are current as of June 2024. We also provide location-specific information, including addresses and contact details for the SSA’s field offices, Indiana’s Disability Determination Bureau (DDB), and the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) that conducts appeal hearings for Hoosiers.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

Who Qualifies for SSDI?

To be found “disabled” under federal law, you must meet the five-step sequential evaluation in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520:

• You are not working at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level (SGA for 2024 is $1,550 per month for non-blind claimants).
• You have a severe medically determinable impairment (MDI). Your impairment meets or equals a listing in SSA’s Listing of Impairments.- If not, the SSA decides whether you can perform any of your past relevant work (PRW).
• Finally, the SSA determines whether you can adjust to other work in the national economy given your age, education, and residual functional capacity (RFC).

In addition, you must have earned sufficient work credits (usually 20 out of the last 40 quarters) under 42 U.S.C. § 423(c). Indiana workers who paid FICA taxes accumulate these credits automatically.

Your Due-Process Protections

The U.S. Constitution guarantees procedural due process in benefit determinations. The SSA’s regulations codify this in 20 C.F.R. § 404.900, giving every claimant four levels of administrative review:

• Reconsideration
• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing
• Appeals Council review
• Federal district court lawsuit

You have the right to representation at every stage and the right to review and copy your claims file. Representatives’ fees are capped by federal statute and must be approved by SSA.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

Technical (Non-Medical) Denials

• Insufficient Work Credits: Applicants who stopped working years ago may fall short of the “recent work” test.
• Earnings Above SGA: If your paystubs show earnings higher than the SGA amount, SSA must deny.
• Failure to Cooperate: Missing consultative exams, not submitting requested forms, or ignoring SSA phone calls can trigger a denial under 20 C.F.R. § 404.911.

Medical Denials

• Lack of Objective Evidence: Merely reporting symptoms is not enough. SSA needs imaging, lab tests, and doctor’s notes tying functional limits to diagnoses.
• Conditions Not Expected to Last 12 Months: By statute (42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)) your impairment must last—or be expected to last—at least a year or result in death.
• Residual Functional Capacity Too High: DDS doctors often assign an RFC suggesting you can do sedentary or light work. Vocational guidelines will then direct a denial.

Understanding why you were denied allows you to target your evidence on appeal.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

Key Statutes & Regulations Every Indiana Claimant Should Know

• 42 U.S.C. § 405(b) – Requires SSA to provide written notice and the right to a hearing after an adverse action.
• 42 U.S.C. § 406(a)(2)(A) – Caps attorney fees (25% of past-due benefits or $7,200, whichever is less as of 2024).
• 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512 – Your duty to submit all evidence known to you that relates to your disability.
• 20 C.F.R. § 404.968 – Appeals Council procedures and timelines.
• Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 8 – Governs complaints filed in U.S. District Court when you sue the Commissioner.

Statute of Limitations for Appeals

60 Days: After any unfavorable decision, you have 60 days (plus a presumed 5-day mailing period) to file the next appeal (20 C.F.R. § 404.901). Missing this deadline without “good cause” will generally require you to start a brand-new application.

Indiana Attorney Licensing Rules

Only attorneys admitted to the Indiana Supreme Court may practice law in the state. Out-of-state lawyers must petition for pro hac vice admission under Indiana Rule of Admission & Discipline 3(2). Non-attorney representatives approved by SSA can practice before the agency but cannot appear in federal court.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read Your Notice Carefully

The denial letter includes a “rationale” explaining why you were denied and the evidence considered. Highlight each reason to build your rebuttal.

2. File a Request for Reconsideration (Form SSA-561)Indiana claimants mail or upload this form to the Social Security office listed on the first page of the denial. You may also file online through SSA’s Online Appeals Portal.### 3. Beef Up the Record

• Request updated treatment notes and diagnostic studies from IU Health, Franciscan Health, Ascension St. Vincent, or other Indiana providers.
• Ask treating doctors to complete a Medical Source Statement detailing specific work-related limitations.
• Keep a symptom diary documenting bad days, hospitalizations, and medication side effects.

4. Prepare for the Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If Reconsideration is denied—very common—the next stage is an ALJ hearing at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Indiana has two primary hearing offices:

• Indianapolis OHO – 6511 Guion Road, Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46268; Phone (877) 299-9797
• Valparaiso (Northern Indiana) OHO – 2803 Boone Road, Valparaiso, IN 46383; Phone (866) 331-0111

You may appear in person, by phone, or by video teleconference. Most hearings last 45–60 minutes. The ALJ will question you, a vocational expert, and sometimes a medical expert.

5. Appeals Council & Federal Court

Appeals Council: File Form HA-520. Most reviews are “on the record,” but you can request oral argument. U.S. District Court: If the Appeals Council denies review, you have 60 days to sue in the U.S. District Court for the Northern or Southern District of Indiana. This is a civil action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).## When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Why Legal Representation Matters

SSA’s own statistics show that claimants with professional representation are significantly more likely to win at the ALJ level. An experienced Indiana disability attorney can:

• Identify missing evidence and request it promptly.
• Cross-examine vocational experts about job numbers and transferable skills.
• Draft pre-hearing briefs citing relevant medical listings and binding Seventh Circuit precedents (e.g., Gerstner v. Saul, 879 F.3d 257 (7th Cir. 2018)).
• Protect the record for potential federal court review.

The fee is contingency-based and strictly limited by 42 U.S.C. § 406; you pay nothing up front.

Signs You Should Hire an Attorney Immediately

• You have multiple conditions (e.g., diabetes, neuropathy, and depression) that interact in complex ways.
• You’ve been denied twice and now face an ALJ hearing.
• Vocational testimony will be critical because of your age (50+) or lack of transferable skills.
• Your impairment involves rare medical evidence (e.g., Chiari malformation) unfamiliar to SSA adjudicators.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Key SSA Field Offices in Indiana

The SSA maintains 26 field offices across Indiana. Three of the busiest locations are:

Indianapolis Downtown Office 575 N. Pennsylvania St., Room 685, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (866) 592-3734Fort Wayne Office 2122 Lincolnway Court, Fort Wayne, IN 46819 Phone: (877) 223-6061Evansville Office 15 Northwest M.L.K. Blvd., Evansville, IN 47708 Phone: (866) 331-2204 Use the SSA Office Locator to find hours and directions.### Indiana Disability Determination Bureau (DDB)

The DDB—part of Indiana’s Family & Social Services Administration—makes the initial disability determination. Address: 662 S. 4th St., Suite 120, Louisville (mailing), but all phone inquiries go through (800) 622-4968.

Vocational & Medical Facilities

• Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center (Indianapolis) – Key source of records for veterans.
• IU Health Methodist Hospital – Level I trauma center with extensive diagnostic imaging services.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services – State agency that may provide job placement records SSA can use.

What You Should Do Today

• Create a mySSA account to monitor your file.
• Request your complete claims folder (CD copy) from the field office.
• Mark the 60-day deadline on a calendar and set reminders.
• Contact an Indiana disability attorney for a free consultation.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change frequently. Consult a licensed Indiana attorney for advice on 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.