Many people who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits will likely have their first claim denied.
Even if they appeal and eventually win, they will need to go through several more steps and might wait two years or more before receiving any disability payments.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid and tips that might help you get a faster, positive decision on your SSDI application claim.
Not understanding the process.
Some people think getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is as simple as filling out a few forms and waiting for payments.
However, the process is much more complicated. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to decide if someone qualifies for disability claim benefits:
- You must not be working a regular job that pays more than $1,550 monthly (for 2024) and $2,590 if you’re blind.
- Your condition must be severe enough to interfere with basic work activities.
- Your condition must be on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions, and it should last for more than a year.
- You must not be able to do the work you did before becoming disabled.
- You must not be able to do any other kind of work.
- You must meet the first two rules before the SSA considers your claim
| For example, if you’re a 40-year-old ironworker who injured your back, the SSA might say you’re not disabled if they believe you can still do a desk job. Even if you feel you can’t, you need to provide strong evidence explaining why, or they will deny your claim. |
Applying on your own.
People who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits without help are more likely to have their application denied.
Most people don’t have experience dealing with government agencies, claiming disability, and don’t know the details needed to get through the SSDI process successfully.
Think of it like this – it’s similar to hiring an accountant to do your taxes and represent you if the IRS audits you.
More and more people are realizing they need help through the SSDI process.
Underestimating how much your disability affects you.
Some people downplay the impact of their disability, whether it’s because of pride or simply because they’ve learned to manage things differently over time.
However, this can hurt your long-term disability claim if you don’t fully explain how your condition affects your daily life.
| For example, if a 50-year-old grandmother tells the SSA that she watches her grandchildren but doesn’t mention that they’re older and don’t need much care, the SSA might deny her claim.
They could assume that if she can watch kids, she could work in a daycare. |
Exaggerating your disability.
Some people try to make their condition seem worse than it really is, which can backfire.
For instance, if someone uses a cane at a hearing in front of a judge but doesn’t normally need one, they’re overplaying their condition.
If the judge notices that the cane’s tip isn’t worn, the whole claim becomes suspicious. Even if the person had a valid case, exaggerating the truth can hurt their chances.
It’s important to give detailed information, but don’t exaggerate.
Being unclear about your work history.
It’s important to clearly explain what your job requires and why you can no longer do it in order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
For example, if you’re a service technician who has to drive for long periods, but your condition only allows you to drive for 10 minutes before feeling extreme pain, you need to explain this clearly on your application.
If you don’t clearly state your job’s demands and your limitations, the Social Security Administration might deny your claim, thinking you can still do your job.
This could leave you in a tough spot – unable to work but also disability denial benefits.
Missing the appeals deadline.
More than 65% of all Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications are denied at first, but there’s a formal appeals process with three stages.
If you’re denied at any stage, you have 60 days to file an appeal. If you miss that deadline, you’ll have to start the process over from the beginning.
Giving up.
The SSDI process can be very long and frustrating. Right now, more than 1 million people are waiting for decisions.
For those with serious physical or mental disabilities, this delay can be especially hard. However, SSDI is a benefit that people with disabilities have earned, and it’s often crucial for getting other financial help.
It’s important not to give up, even though the process is tough.
Conclusion
The SSA receives hundreds of thousands of disability claims each year, but they don’t have enough resources to fully review and investigate every application. That’s why it’s important to do everything you can to give your claim the best start.
Successful applications need a lot of documents that must be reported and submitted correctly, and much of the information is technical. Any gaps, mistakes, or missing information can hurt your claim. Without the help of an experienced disability lawyer, even the strongest cases can be rejected on the first try.
Our lawyer understands many different medical conditions and is ready to help you with your Social Security disability application from the beginning. We can guide you and prepare your denied disability claim to give you the best chance of success.