How the deadline is counted
- Social Security assumes you received the notice 5 days after the date printed on it.
- The 60-day appeal period starts the day after that.
- If the 60th day is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the period runs to the next full workday.
Before you rely on it
If the notice reached you more than five days after its date, Social Security may accept proof of the later date. A late appeal can be accepted for good cause, but do not count on it. File as early as you can and keep proof of when you filed.
It does not cover other deadlines that can appear on Social Security notices, such as the 10-day period to keep benefits paid while appealing a decision that your disability has ended, the 30-day period to file exceptions after a federal court sends a case back, or deadlines for filing in federal court. It also cannot know about unscheduled federal closures.
Sources: Social Security Program Operations Manual, GN 03101.010; Social Security: appeal a decision.
This tool gives general information, not legal advice about your situation.
Related practice area: Social Security Disability Appeals