The 3 Main Reasons Why your Disability Case was denied
1. Applicants do not meek the work history requirements
While anyone who has paid FICA payroll taxes long enough is normally insured for SSDI, it does not necessarily mean they are eligible for benefits. An applicant must have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years, but this varies for younger individuals. And the work in those 5 years needs to be substantial enough to have obtained the necessary work credits or quarters. If you worked on and off and did not earn the necessary credits or quarters, then you may not be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. If you are unsure if you have enough credits or not, you can call your local SSA office and inquire about it, or you can go to ssa.gov and create your MySSA profile with them and once logged in, it will tell you if you have the necessary work credits or not.
2. Applicants do not have sufficient medical documentation
Strong and detailed medical evidence that documents a severe medical condition and its impact on the individual’s ability to perform SGA (substantial gainful activity) work is a critical component of the SSDI application. Medical evidence should include a firm diagnoses, medical tests such as x-rays or MRI's, treatment history, prescription medications being taken, surgeries, emergency room and doctor visits, and other relevant medical details to demonstrate not just that you have a medical diagnosis, but that your diagnosis causes severe limitations and restrictions with your activities of daily living. Sometimes a medical opinion from your doctor can help identify the kinds of limitations or restrictions you have. Consistent monthly treatments with your PCP or specialists are an important part of your claim. You always want to make sure youre attending all your doctors appointments. A gap in medical treatment or failure to attend doctors appointments will have a negative impact on your disability case.
3. Applicants unaware they can hire a Social Security Disability Attorney
Many applicants are unaware there are social security disability lawyers out there. Some may be aware they can hire an attorney, but they automatically assume they cannot afford the help of a lawyer. Others may assume they can win their case on their own, so there is no need to hire an attorney. Although an applicant can file a social security disability claim on their own, its always always advised to seek legal counsel. An attorney can formulate the best argument to tell the story of your disability and its devastating impact on you and your family. Fewer than 3 out of 10 individuals have an SSDI lawyer to help them apply. Those 3 people are 23% more likely to get their application approved because they have a lawyer. In addition, getting approved for benefits is typically quicker with an attorney than without one. Experienced lawyers know how to determine if your condition meets SSA's blue book medical listings. In addition, if you have to have a hearing before an administrative law judge, an attorney will prepare you for that hearing and present the best possible argument to win your case. Without a lawyer, you'd be going into a hearing with very little knowledge of what will happen and what the judge expects.