Why You Should Not Give Up After an SSDI Denial
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two of the most significant benefits programs in the United States that are designed to provide financial assistance to disabled people. These two programs are both created and administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To receive benefits under either of these programs, a disabled individual is required to meet rigorous criteria set forth by the SSA before they can qualify for eligibility.
SSDI is designed to pay disability benefits to individuals who have a specific disability and have been paying taxes regularly relating to their work history.
Many people have found themselves in a difficult situation as a result of a benefits denial following an application for SSDI. The denial letter can be devastating to a disabled individual and their family, and it can be easy to throw in the towel after receiving such a disappointing letter.
What Is the Application Process?
The application process can be a lengthy procedure, and most people’s initial applications receive a denial, even when they provide medical evidence as documentation. However, when it comes to applying for SSDI, it is recommended that applicants use the benefits eligibility screening tool to help them identify a program that is a good fit for them.
If your application for SSDI benefits is initially denied, you can appeal and request another review of your case. This means that you would have another opportunity for the officials to examine the medical evidence that you provided and reconsider your claim for benefits. However, if your application gets denied again on appeal for one of the reasons below, you should reconsider how you have presented your application:
- Medical reasons: If your application for benefits was rejected despite your having medical issues that prevent you from working and earning a living, you should seek additional documentation from your medical professionals to prove that you have a serious disability.
- Non-medical reasons: For non-medical reasons, you should contact an experienced Social Security lawyer to review your case and provide guidance on how to strengthen your application.
Depending on the scenario, and your health condition, you may be able to seek short term disability benefits while you are unable to work, even if you face a disabling condition for only a short duration.
A Few Facts To Know Before Appealing A Denial
Every applicant has the right to appeal an SSA denial of disability benefits. While you have the option to begin the process of applying for disability benefits from the very beginning after a denial, you also have the right to seek reconsideration if you believe the SSA got it wrong when they reviewed your application.
Why Is Reconsidering An Appeal Important?
In the case of most benefits denials, it is advisable to appeal the SSA’s decision rather than beginning the benefits application process from the very beginning. The reason is simple: the chances of getting approved for benefits often increase on appeal. And for the record, only about one-third of all applications for disability benefits get approval in the SSA’s initial stage of determination. This is why it can be important to persist even after an initial SSA benefits denial.
Things To Do After A Denial
Many people become frustrated and disheartened by a denial from the SSA, with a large percentage of individuals who give up and stop pursuing the benefits they deserve. It is normal to feel frustrated and defeated, as having to deal with a disability might seem too daunting on its own.
In many cases, the application examiners fail to contact the applicant for verification of confusing or missing information. Instead, they usually just hand over an automatic rejection if they encounter anything in the application that may be ambiguous.
These situations can be the source of as much pain as your disability. However, many applicants have to learn to be patient, as success often only comes along with time.
- The first thing to do after you receive a rejection from the government is to reapply under the same name and same case.
- You can contact people you know who have gotten approved for the benefits they need after several denials. This can help to motivate you and steer you in the right direction.
- You can contact the local Social Security Office to find out what is preventing you from getting an approval. This can help you to understand your situation a bit better.
- Most importantly, you should never feel that you are unworthy of getting approved for disability benefits. Patience in these types of situations usually pays off.
To avoid unnecessary denials and delays in the benefits application process, you should consider hiring disability lawyers in Florida. With their years of experience and extensive knowledge, they can help, as they know precisely what to do and with whom to speak. They can guide you through the process with sensitivity and kindness.