SSA says to request Appeals Council review within 60 days after you receive the administrative law judge's hearing decision or order. It generally assumes receipt 5 days after the date on the notice unless you show that it arrived later.
Use the notice as the controlling instruction
The notice identifies whether Appeals Council review is available and explains where and how to file. Do not calculate from the hearing date. The period runs from receipt of the written decision or order under the rule stated in the notice.
File before every argument or record is ready
Submit the request on time. If you need more time for evidence or legal argument, ask for an extension in writing when you file. SSA's current HA-520 instructions say the Council may act on the evidence already in the file if nothing else is submitted within a granted extension.
If the request may be late
File promptly, explain why it is late, and ask the Appeals Council to extend the time for good cause. The Council decides the extension request. Keep documents that support the actual delivery date or reason for delay.
Keep proof of filing
Save the online confirmation, fax report, postal evidence, office receipt, and a complete copy. A deadline-sensitive filing should not depend only on an unrecorded phone conversation.