If you have a disability that has rendered you unable to work and earn an income as you normally would, you may be considering a claim for disability benefits. If so, you may have also heard that disability benefit claims are often denied on the first attempt.
Approximately 65% of first-time applications for disability benefits are indeed rejected, and while this is true, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. The good news is that you can take steps to improve your chances of approval for benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what types of benefits are available and how best to pursue them.
A Few Common Reasons for Denial of Applications
Certainly, every application is unique. No two sets of circumstances are the same, and when the Social Security Administration reviews your application, its decision will be based on your unique circumstances. Nevertheless, there are a few common reasons for the initial denial of applications. These include:
- Insufficient Medical Evidence: Without question, medical records are an essential component of any successful claim for disability benefits. It is essential to gather medical records that substantiate your condition, its symptoms, and its effect on your day-to-day life.
- Inability to Prove Long-Term Disability: In order to be approved for either SSDI or SSI benefits, an applicant must be able to prove the existence of a disability that has rendered them unable to work for a period of at least one continuous calendar year or more. If medical records do not support a claim that this is the case, an application for benefits is often denied.
- Lack of Work Credits: For those who are applying for SSDI benefits, work history is an essential element of the claim. In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, an individual must be “insured.” This means that they have worked a job for a sufficient length of time, through which they regularly paid a portion of their salary as taxes into the Social Security system. Those who do not have enough work credits typically have their applications denied.
- Incomplete Application: Sometimes, an applicant may file an incomplete application through inadvertence or simply a lack of knowledge. With the right attorney on your side, this mistake is easy to avoid, but it is nevertheless a common reason for denial of benefits.
Knowing the mistakes that are commonly made on applications and trying to avoid them is important and can be tremendously helpful in increasing your chances of approval.
What Should You Do If an Application is Denied?
In some cases, despite best efforts, an application for benefits is denied on the first try. Although you may be disappointed, you shouldn’t panic if this is the case. Instead, you can (and should) continue to pursue your claim.
First and foremost, you should review your notice of denial in order to understand the reasons behind the decision. After doing so, taking the following steps may be helpful:
- Consulting an Attorney: If you have not already done so, consulting an attorney after your initial denial of benefits is almost always helpful. Having an attorney on your side who knows and understands the law can be tremendously helpful.
- Request a Reconsideration: Typically, those who have received an initial denial on their application will have 60 days from the date of the notice of denial to request a reconsideration of that decision and to submit additional medical records or other evidence to support their claim. A reconsideration involves a review of a case by someone who was not involved in the initial decision.
- Request a Hearing or File an Appeal: You shouldn’t give up hope even if a Request for Reconsideration is denied. Those who receive such a denial have the opportunity to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge and file an appeal if desired.
Understandably, the law can seem complex, and all of the steps involved in pursuing benefits can seem confusing. The good news is you aren’t alone in this process. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you, and we’re ready to help.
Call Muse Disability Today
If you’re struggling with a disability that has caused you to be unable to work, being approved for disability benefits could make a tremendous difference in relieving financial stress and giving you an opportunity to focus on rest and recovery. At Muse Disability, we understand that. We know how important these benefits are to our clients, and we know that you want to do everything possible to be approved for those benefits as soon as possible. That’s why we’re here to help.
Our talented and experienced legal team at Muse Disability knows and understands the law and will fight for you every step of the way as you pursue the benefits you need and deserve. There’s no time like today to get started. We look forward to speaking with you soon.