Clients

Guide to Federal Court Appeals for Social Security Disability

If your Social Security Disability claim has been denied at every level—even after a hearing or Appeals Council review—you still have options. This guide explains what a federal court appeal is, what to expect, and why O’Neal Appellate Law may be the right fit to help you through this final and most important stage.

What to Expect in a Federal Appeal

No Court Appearance Needed	Your appeal is handled entirely in writing—no need to testify or go to court.
We Handle Everything	From the notice of appeal to the final brief, our team manages every legal step.
The Judge Reviews Your Case Record	We focus on showing how Social Security made a legal or procedural error.
The Process Takes Time	Federal appeals may take several months to a year, but we keep you updated throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this cost?

There’s no upfront cost. If we win, our fee comes from your back pay—only if the court approves it.

Will I have to do anything?

Our team handles all the legal work. You may be asked to provide background details, but we take care of the rest.

What happens if we win?

The federal judge may send your case back to Social Security Administration for another hearing—or, in some cases, award benefits directly.

What if we lose?

We’ll carefully review the decision with you and explain your options, including the possibility of a higher-level appeal.

Why Choose O’Neal Appellate Law?

We focus exclusively on federal appeals for Social Security Disability cases.

Our team includes former SSA insiders who understand how the system works from the inside.

You’ll always know who’s working on your case—we’re a small, dedicated team.

No upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case.

Meet The Team

Kate O’Neal

Founding Attorney

A seasoned federal litigator focused solely on federal Social Security appeals.

Pilar Sandoval

Legal Analyst

Guided by Attorney O’Neal’s legal strategy, Pilar distills the full record into focused outlines built around the key issues

Joya Querencia

Operations Lead

As the operations and marketing lead at O’Neal Appellate Law, Joya drives both efficiency behind the scenes and visibility in the field.

Denied by the Appeals Council?

We’re Ready to Fight for You.

By the time you find O’Neal Appellate Law, you’ve likely been through years of frustration—only to be denied Social Security or SSI disability benefits at every turn. If your case has been denied by the Appeals Council, you still have one powerful option left: Federal Court.

That’s where we come in.

Attorney Katherine Hartung O’Neal brings unmatched insight to your case. She spent years representing clients at the administrative level, arguing before judges nationwide. And she’s personally been through the Social Security process—after surviving a devastating tractor-trailer accident in 2011, she successfully applied for benefits herself. She knows the system from both sides of the bench. More importantly, she knows how to win.

If you want another shot at getting the benefits you deserve—we’re here to help.

Get Clarity.

Know Your Options.

At O’Neal Appellate Law, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help you understand where your case stands and what comes next.

We’ll carefully review your Social Security denial, walk you through the Federal Court process, and give you a clear, honest assessment of your options moving forward.

You’ve come this far—don’t stop now.

Your Next Step Matters. Let’s Take It Together.

Call Now or Contact Us Online to schedule your free consultation.

Call Today