What to Write in the Remarks Section of Your SSDI Appeal

When you file an SSDI appeal — whether at the reconsideration stage or requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) — certain forms include a Remarks or Additional Information section. Most claimants skip it or write very little. That's a missed opportunity.

This section exists for a reason: to let you explain things the standard form fields can't capture. Used well, it can clarify your claim, flag important context, and strengthen how your case is understood by the reviewer.

What the Remarks Section Actually Is

The Remarks section typically appears on forms like the SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) and related appeal paperwork. It's a free-text field — no checkboxes, no multiple choice. You're speaking directly to the person reviewing your file.

At the reconsideration stage, that's a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner. At the ALJ hearing stage, your written submissions go into your case record, which the judge reviews.

This section doesn't replace medical evidence. But it contextualizes it.

What Belongs in the Remarks Section 📋

Think of this space as your opportunity to explain what the form couldn't ask. Common and effective uses include:

1. Explaining why your condition has changed or worsened If your medical situation deteriorated after your initial application, say so. Mention when symptoms changed, what new diagnoses were added, or what treatments have failed. Be specific — "my condition has worsened" is too vague. "I was hospitalized twice between January and March for [condition] and can no longer stand for more than 10 minutes" gives reviewers something concrete.

2. Addressing gaps in your medical records SSA denies many claims partly because the medical record doesn't fully reflect functional limitations. If your doctor hasn't documented something you deal with daily — fatigue, pain levels, cognitive difficulties — note that in the Remarks. You can explain that your records may not reflect the full picture and that you're submitting additional documentation.

3. Pointing out errors in the denial notice Denial letters sometimes contain factual mistakes: wrong onset dates, missing conditions, or a work history that doesn't match your records. The Remarks section is where you flag these directly. Be calm and factual — "The denial references my onset date as [date], but my medical records establish symptoms beginning [earlier date]."

4. Clarifying your work history or Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)SGA is the earnings threshold SSA uses to determine whether someone is working at a disqualifying level (the threshold adjusts annually). If you stopped working, reduced hours, or had earnings misclassified, explain it. Context matters — working part-time while a family member covers your job duties isn't the same as independent full-capacity employment.

5. Describing your functional limitations in plain language Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is SSA's assessment of what you can still do despite your impairments. If the denial doesn't reflect what you actually experience — how long you can sit, whether you can concentrate, how often you need to rest — describe that in plain, honest terms. Don't exaggerate. Don't minimize.

What Not to Write

Being strategic here matters as much as what you include.

• Don't repeat information already on the form. Space is limited and reviewers are busy.
• Don't argue emotionally. "I've paid into this system for 30 years" is understandable, but it doesn't address the SSA's eligibility criteria.
• Don't overload it. A few focused, specific paragraphs carry more weight than a multi-page narrative. Save detailed medical context for supporting documents.
• Don't make legal arguments unless you're working with a representative who has advised specific language. Lay claimants who try to cite regulations by number often misapply them in ways that can create confusion.

How the Stage of Your Appeal Shapes What to Write

At the ALJ stage, your written remarks become part of a formal record. If you have a representative — an attorney or non-attorney advocate, many of whom work on contingency — they'll typically draft or review this language. If you're unrepresented, clarity and specificity are your best tools.

The Variables That Shape What You Should Emphasize 🔍

No two SSDI appeals are identical. What you write in the Remarks section depends heavily on:

• Why you were denied — was it medical insufficiency, SGA, technical eligibility, or something else?
• Your medical condition and documentation — some conditions are harder to document objectively than others (chronic pain, mental health conditions, fatigue-based disorders)
• Your work history — your onset date and earnings record affect how SSA interprets your ability to work
• Your age — SSA's vocational grid rules treat claimants over 50 differently than younger applicants
• What new evidence you have — recent treatment records, a physician's statement, or a consultative exam result can completely change what needs to be addressed

A claimant denied for insufficient medical documentation needs to write something very different than one denied because SSA questioned their onset date or misclassified their work activity.

What makes the Remarks section powerful — or wasted — is how well it speaks to the specific reason your claim was denied. That reason is in your denial letter. What it means for your particular medical history, work record, and circumstances is the piece only you can supply.