Michigan Social Security Disability Blog

January 2012

Recently, the SSA issued ruling SSR 11-1p, which limits a claimant's ability to file a subsequent application if an appeal on a prior claim is pending at the Appeals Council. Prior to SSR 11-1p, if a claimant went to an administrative law judge hearing and was denied, they could both appeal by filing a request for review by Appeals Council and file a new application.

Since the implementation of SSR 11-1p, under most circumstances, claimants who are denied at an administrative law judge hearing must choose between appealing the unfavorable decision and filing a new claim.  This change in policy highlights the importance of effective representation at your administrative law judge hearing.