Common Reasons Disability Is Denied
5 Reasons Your Disability Benefits Could Be Denied
No. 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:
- Doctor’s reports
- Hospital records
- Medical test results
- Prescription information
- Supporting statements from coworkers, friends and family
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:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is meant for those with a significant work history who have paid enough into the Social Security system over time.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), on the other hand, is meant for those with limited income and work histories, and/or those who have struggled with disability from a young age.
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.
One More Reason for SSD Denied: You Didn’t Work With a Lawyer
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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