Your family relies on you for support, but you’ve been unable to work because of your health. You were hoping for some help from the government, but you may have to reapply if you don’t make a strong enough case.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies 65% of claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on the first application. If your application didn’t make it through, the first step to getting a favorable decision is likely to understand why the SSA may have denied you in the first place.
Working through denial
There are several reasons that your claim may not pass:
- Medical evidence: You usually need to present medical proof that you can’t work because of your condition. Records from your doctor may indicate that you’re unable to perform your duties, but you’ll likely need to provide timely specifics. The SSA may want to see precisely what tests you underwent, what they showed and what treatment your doctor administered.
- Limiting severity: Those in serious need are generally the first in line to receive SSDI. Your ailment will probably have to keep you from working for at least a year or be considered terminal. Even if you meet these qualifications, you may still be looking at a denial if you can perform some part of your job.
- Following treatment: You might miss out on SSDI if your doctor prescribed a regimen and you didn’t head their recommendation. If you refuse to take medication, undergo an operation or neglect therapy, the SSA may not want to contribute to your recovery.
Determining why your case didn’t qualify could be the beginning of the path to assistance. Make sure you understand what makes the grade in an SSDI claim, and you could have better luck on your next attempt.
