Social Security Appeal Attorney in San Antonio

Trial-Tested Advocacy for Denied Disability Claims

A denial notice from the Social Security Administration isn’t the end of the road. Most initial applications for SSDI or SSI benefits are denied, and the appeals process exists specifically to challenge those decisions. What matters after a denial is acting quickly and having an attorney who knows how to build a record and argue a case. At The Packard Law Firm, we’ve handled hundreds of disability cases alongside our personal injury practice, recovering millions of dollars for clients through settlements and verdicts.

Every denial notice starts a 60-day clock. Missing that window closes your options at that stage, which is why getting legal guidance right away can make a real difference.

Why Our Courtroom Experience Translates to Social Security Appeals

The Packard Law Firm was founded nearly 50 years ago by Bernie Packard and continues today under Dan Packard, a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer. That trial background shapes how we approach Social Security hearings. An administrative law judge hearing isn’t a paperwork review. It’s a proceeding where testimony is taken, expert witnesses are questioned, and the strength of your medical evidence can affect the outcome. We bring the same preparation to those hearings that we bring to a courtroom.

We take on a limited number of cases so clients receive focused attention. When you call, you reach your attorney directly. Clients have our personal cell phone numbers and can get real answers throughout the appeal, not just before and after.

The Social Security Appeals Process

The SSA’s appeals process has four levels. Each stage carries the same general filing deadline: 60 days from the date you receive the decision at the prior level. Missing a deadline typically means starting over with a new application, so tracking these dates is critical.

Reconsideration

After an initial denial, the first step is reconsideration, a review of your file by someone at the SSA who wasn’t involved in the original decision. This stage is often denied as well, but completing it is required before requesting a hearing.

Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge through the SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations. This is often a key stage in the appeals process. You present medical evidence, offer testimony, and have the right to question any vocational or medical expert the SSA calls to testify.

Appeals Council Review

If the administrative law judge denies your claim, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the decision. The Appeals Council may grant review, deny it, or send the case back to a judge for another hearing.

Federal District Court

If the Appeals Council denies review or upholds the denial, you generally have 60 days to file a civil action in federal district court. This is federal litigation, and having an attorney with trial experience can matter significantly at this stage.