When you can’t work because of your health, your life can feel like it’s spiraling out of control.
No job means no income, but you still need to pay your bills. It’s why you applied for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. The monthly checks could help you avoid financial disaster while you try to feel your best.
But you got denied Now you’re unsure of where to go next.
The good news? This isn’t the end for you. Social Security has a multi-step appeals process with chances to win at each juncture, including a reconsideration and an appeals hearing.
Another fact in your corner: Most people are denied benefits on their initial application anyway. You’re not alone.
At our law firm, we see clients come through our door baffled about how they received a denial.
Keep reading to learn our insights on why you could’ve been denied, and most importantly, how you can win the benefits you need.
The Social Security system can be intimidating and confusing for outsiders, but SSD lawyers from Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal help you through it.
That’s why they say, “Helping me, that’s HNB.”
Talk to HNB Talk to HNBNo. 1: You Made a Mistake Filling Out Forms
The application process can feature a mountain of paperwork to complete. You also have to provide detailed information about your medical treatment, adding another layer—and another opportunity for errors.
Fortunately, these mistakes can be simple to correct when you appeal. But when you’re feeling the stress of financial freefall on top of health issues, this process can be overwhelming.
No. 2: Medical Evidence Problems
You can’t just tell Social Security you need disability benefits and expect an approval. You have to back up that claim with thorough and clear evidence.
You have to include things like:
These items need to prove that your disability is real and it makes working impossible.
If any of your evidence is missing or even sequenced incorrectly, you could be denied. But this, too, is something you can improve on appeal.
No. 3: You Didn’t Receive Consistent Treatment
This is a big one. You absolutely must be reliable in getting treatment for your ailment, which is another way to show how much you deserve benefits.
If you don’t go to the doctor regularly, Social Security will issue a quick SSD denial. The logic? If you’d received proper treatment, your health might improve enough to work full-time, so you don’t need benefits.
No. 4: Your Income
There are two different programs within SSD, and we often see people apply for the incorrect one:
Make sure you’re applying for the correct program for your situation.
No. 5: You Didn’t Cooperate Fully with Social Security
Sometimes, we hear from clients that the Social Security representative they dealt with was unpleasant, or even rude. Sadly, no matter how angry or uncomfortable you feel, you must cooperate in order to win benefits.
You may even have to submit to an SSA-administered exam. If you want to win, you have to play by their rules.
HNB can help you sort out any problems with your disability application and make a strong appeal.
You can get started by having the lawyers at HNB evaluate your case for free.
Just reading through all of these things that can go wrong with your disability claim makes you tired and stressed. We know.
You don’t have to go through without support. Our best advice is to find an experienced disability attorney in your area, one who knows the system and the people involved in the process.
Disability lawyers usually only charge you a contingency fee—meaning you won’t pay them anything unless you win. And even then, you only pay an attorney’s fee out of the back benefits you receive when you win.
Working with a lawyer is low-risk for you, especially if you consider how important these benefits can be to your well-being. When it’s time to appeal a denial, a report from the US Government Accountability Office found people were almost three times more likely to win benefits after their disability hearings if they brought a representative with them.
So don’t take a chance on your future.
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