Where to file your SSDI appeal in Natick

Your appeal goes to the Social Security Administration's Natick Field Office, located at 1441 Main Street, Natick, MA 01760. You do not send it directly there, though — you file through Social Security's national system, and the Natick office handles cases for residents in that area. The office phone number is (508) 653-2400, and staff can answer questions about what documents you need or where your case stands.

When you file an appeal, Social Security assigns your case a tracking number. Keep this number with you throughout the process. You can check the status of your appeal by calling the Natick office or by logging into your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. The Natick office does not make the final decision on most appeals — that work happens at the state level — but they can tell you which stage your case is in and what happens next.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file a Request for Reconsideration, which is the first appeal step and the only one you can do without a hearing.
  • The Natick Field Office handles your case administratively, but the actual decision comes from Social Security's Disability information Services office in Boston.
  • If you lose at reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, which is where most people win their appeals.
  • Massachusetts has legal aid organizations that offer free representation at hearings, and many disability lawyers work on contingency — they take payment only if you win.
  • The entire appeal process from reconsideration through a hearing typically takes 12 to 18 months in Massachusetts.

The reconsideration step and the 60-day window

Your first move after a denial is to file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days of the date on your denial letter. This is the only appeal stage where a new examiner reviews your file without a hearing. You can file by mail, in person at the Natick office, or online through your my Social Security account. If you file online or in person, you get a receipt when ready. If you mail it, keep a copy and send it certified mail so you have proof of the date you filed.

At reconsideration, Social Security sends your case to the state's Disability information Services office in Boston. A different examiner than the one who denied you the first time will look at your medical records, work history, and any new evidence you submit. This step takes about 3 to 5 months. Most people are denied again at reconsideration — the national approval rate is roughly 10 to 15 percent — but it is a required step before you can request a hearing.

Requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge

If you are denied at reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. This is where the majority of SSDI appeals are won. You have 60 days from the date of your reconsideration denial to file the request. The form is called Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge, and you can file it the same ways you filed for reconsideration — online, by mail, or in person at the Natick office.

Hearings in Massachusetts are usually held in Boston, though some are conducted by videoconference. The ALJ will review your entire file, hear testimony from you, and may hear from a medical informed or vocational informed. You can represent yourself, but having a lawyer or non-lawyer representative present significantly improves your chances. The national approval rate at the hearing level is around 60 percent, much higher than at earlier stages.

Finding a lawyer or representative in Massachusetts

Social Security allows you to be represented by a lawyer, a non-lawyer representative accredited by Social Security, or a family member. Many disability lawyers in Massachusetts work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you win. The fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200 (as of 2024; this amount adjusts yearly). You pay nothing upfront.

For free representation, contact Disability Law Center in Boston at (617) 723-5355 or visit dlc-ma.org. They provide free legal help to people with disabilities, including SSDI representation. Another option is Community Legal Aid, which serves parts of Massachusetts and offers free disability services. If you hire a representative, they must be accredited by Social Security. You can search the accredited representative database on ssa.gov.

What to submit with your appeal

Social Security already has your original process and medical records from your first decision. At reconsideration and at a hearing, you can submit new evidence — recent doctor's notes, test results, hospital records, or statements from people who know your condition. New evidence is your strongest tool. If your condition has worsened or you have new diagnoses since your first process, get those records into your file as soon as you file your appeal.

Write a brief statement explaining why you believe you are disabled and why the original decision was wrong. Be specific: name the medical conditions, describe how they limit your ability to work, and explain what you cannot do that you could do before. If you have not worked since your process, mention that. If you tried to work and had to stop, describe what happened. This statement goes in your file and the judge will read it.

Timeline and what to expect at each stage

Reconsideration takes 3 to 5 months. After you receive a reconsideration denial, you have 60 days to request a hearing. The wait for a hearing date is currently 6 to 12 months in Massachusetts, depending on the hearing office's caseload. Once you have a hearing date, you will receive a notice 10 to 20 days before. The hearing itself usually lasts 15 to 45 minutes. The ALJ will issue a written decision within 30 to 60 days after the hearing.

From the date you file your first appeal to the date you receive a final decision is typically 12 to 18 months. If you lose at the hearing level, you can appeal to the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, but this step is rarely successful. If the Appeals Council denies you, you can file a lawsuit in federal court, but this requires a lawyer and is expensive.

Continuing to receive benefits while you appeal

If you were receiving SSDI when you were denied, you can ask to continue receiving benefits while you appeal. This is called Continuing Disability Review continuation. You must request it within 10 days of your initial denial. If you continue to receive benefits and you ultimately lose your appeal, you will have to repay those benefits. However, if you win, the benefits you received count toward your case.

If you were never approved for SSDI in the first place, you cannot receive benefits while you appeal. You can, however, work part-time or do other activities that do not interfere with your appeal. Social Security does not penalize you for working while your case is pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my appeal online through my Social Security account?

Yes. You can file your Request for Reconsideration and Request for Hearing online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need to create an account if you do not have one. Filing online is faster than mailing and gives you an when ready confirmation.

What happens if I miss the 60-day important date to appeal?

If you miss the 60-day window, you can still file late if you have "good cause" — a reason Social Security accepts as legitimate, such as a serious illness, a death in the family, or a language barrier. You must explain your reason in writing. Contact the Natick office at (508) 653-2400 to ask whether your reason qualifies.

Do I need a lawyer to win my appeal?

No, but having representation significantly improves your chances. At the hearing level, people with lawyers or representatives win about 70 percent of the time, compared to about 50 percent for people representing themselves. Free legal help is available through Disability Law Center and other Massachusetts legal aid organizations.

What if I disagree with the ALJ's decision?

You can appeal to the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, within 60 days of the ALJ's decision. The Appeals Council rarely reverses ALJ decisions unless there was a legal error. If the Appeals Council denies you, your next step is federal court, which requires hiring a lawyer and filing a lawsuit.

Can I work while my appeal is pending?

Yes. You can work part-time or do other activities while your case is being reviewed. Social Security will not hold your work against you during the appeal process. If you win, any work you did will not affect your back pay or your ongoing benefits, as long as you were not earning substantial income.