Social Security Disability Insurance Practice Test 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

New evidence that directly impacts the decision is considered a strong example of good cause for reopening a case in Social Security Disability Insurance matters. When a claimant has new evidence that was not available during the initial review, and this evidence is substantial enough to potentially alter the outcome of the decision, it justifies reopening the case. This is crucial because Social Security Administration (SSA) aims to ensure that all relevant information is considered in determining a claimant's eligibility for benefits. The introduction of new evidence can shed light on the severity of a disability, the impact on daily functioning, or other pertinent factors that may not have been fully evaluated previously.

The other options do not meet the standard for good cause to reopen a case. For instance, a desire to change the representative does not influence the substantive evaluation of the claim and is more about procedural preference rather than case merits. Similarly, simply wishing for a second chance reflects a desire for reconsideration without new compelling reasons or evidence to support it. Claims processing delays, while frustrating, do not provide grounds for reopening a case since they deal more with the administrative aspect of handling a case rather than its factual and evidentiary basis.