The Appeals Council is the final level of administrative appeal following an unfavorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in Social Security disability claims.
Sometimes, evidence may not reach the ALJ before your hearing. Fortunately, you can still submit new evidence to the Appeals Council, provided the following conditions are met:
- The evidence must be “new” and “material” to your condition and the relevant time period.
- You must show “good cause” for not submitting it earlier to the ALJ.
Over time, the Social Security Administration and Federal Courts have defined these terms. To navigate these requirements and determine if you can submit additional evidence to the Appeals Council, consider contacting an experienced Social Security disability attorney.
