No. 17-1606October Term 2018Decided May 28, 2019
Smith v. Berryhill
This case asked whether a Social Security disability claimant can go to federal court after the Social Security Appeals Council refuses to review the claim because the claimant filed the administrative appeal too late.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 28, 2019
- What it's about
This case asked whether a Social Security disability claimant can go to federal court after the Social Security Appeals Council refuses to review the claim because the claimant filed the administrative appeal too late. Ricky Lee Smith had already received a hearing before an administrative law judge, and the dispute was over whether the Appeals Council’s timeliness dismissal was the kind of final agency action that courts may review.
Question presented
Whether the Appeals Council's decision to reject a disability claim on the ground that the claimant's appeal was untimely is a "final decision" subject to judicial review under Section 405(g).
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Decision released May 28, 2019
- Area
Administrative Law
Timing
Decided May 28, 2019
The Court released its decision on May 28, 2019 without hearing oral argument.
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology