Every time you receive a paycheck from an employer, you have taxes withheld from that check. A portion of these taxes go toward Social Security benefits. One of the benefits offered through the Social Security Administration (SSA) is disability insurance. While hard to believe, nearly two-thirds of all initial claims for disability benefits are denied. An even higher rate of claims are denied during the appeal process, which is referred to as reconsideration. Some claims are denied based upon insufficient evidence of disability, paperwork errors, or suspicion of fraudulence. Here we will discuss the most common reasons your disability claim has been denied:
Your Income
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are paid based on the amounts you paid into Social Security as part of your payroll taxes. If you find that you are no longer able to work and will be unable to work for a year or more due to a disability, you should apply for SSDI benefits as soon as possible. If you are still working but have had to reduce you hours, it is possible to obtain SSDI benefits but may be more difficult. If your employment income is higher than the level established by SSA (known as “substantial gainful activity”), you will not be eligible to draw SSDI benefits.
Lack of Medical Evidence
Many SSDI claims are denied due to a lack of solid medical evidence. If you are looking to qualify for disability benefits, you need to be able to prove that you are unable to work due to a severe medical condition. In order to succeed at this, you must have medical records from your doctor which show that your disability has interfered with your ability to carry out work-related tasks.
If your disability is based on drug or alcohol abuse, there is a high likelihood that your claim will be denied. While SSA will approve benefits for claimants suffering from physical and mental impairments as a result of past drug and alcohol abuse, such substances may not be a continuing factor in consideration for disability. If SSA determines that you would not be disabled with the removal of alcohol or drug abuse, your claim will be denied.
Failure to Follow Treatment
If you fail to follow the treatment prescribed to you by your doctor, your SSDI claim will be denied. Treatments for physical disabilities tend to be more clearly defined, but those seeking disability benefits for mental ailments may find that the SSA states that they lack evidence. In these instances, it’s crucial that all treatment is documented and adhered to. If an examiner can not accurately determine whether or not your condition actually prevents you from working, a denial is likely.
Failure to Cooperate
It is in your best interest to cooperate with those individuals who are handling your SSDI claim. You must release medical records when indicated, answer any questions posed by the SSA, attend medical examinations when asked, and provide any and all documentation requested in a timely manner. Otherwise, your claim may be denied.
Prior Denials
Many people think that filing a new claim is preferred over filing an appeal. This is not the case. If the person reviewing your application determines that you have applied previously and were denied benefits, it’s likely to happen again.
The SSA Cannot Locate You
It’s vital to keep the SSA updated with current contact information if you move or plan on leaving home for an extended period of time. Your claim may get denied if the SSA cannot reach you to get additional information needed to issue an approval.
To maximize your potential to receive benefits, consider getting assistance from a Social Security attorney at Herndon, Coleman, Brading, & McKee. If you have been denied SSDI benefits, you should seek out help in filing an appeal. Attorneys provide expertise in filing paperwork and presenting cases, which can make all the difference you need to qualify for the benefits you deserve. Give us a call at 423-434-4700 today to get started on your claim.