From 2003 through 2012, nearly half of all Social Security disability claims were denied. Why?
According to the Social Security Administration, a major portion of denials were due to technical mistakes in the applications. If you intend to apply for or have been denied benefits, then don’t let technical errors stand in your way. You can work with a disability law attorney to ensure that your claim is detailed, sufficient and clearly in order.
Here let’s discuss other reasons a disability claim might be denied.
To be eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance — SSDI — you must have a documented work history. Not having proof of a work history can result in a denial of benefits.
You must also have an impairment that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least a year. Medical evidence is required to prove that you have a disability and that your impairment prevents you from doing your usual job and other kinds of work. Lack of medical evidence can result in a denial of your claim, so it is important to obtain documented medical treatment.
In some cases, disability claims are denied because the impairment is determined to be not severe. In other cases, the applicant returns to work before a disability is established, and the claim is therefore denied.
If your claim is denied, then you still have options. There are steps you can take to appeal the denial, but there are deadlines. For more on that, please see our section on the SSDI process.