Millions of people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) every year. However, less than half of those who apply actually manage to get approved, and this is often due to simple mistakes that can be avoided with a bit of care. Here are five common mistakes often seen on SSDI and SSI applications, which can lead to your application being denied:
- Incorrect or incomplete paperwork
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- One of the most common issues seen in SSDI and SSI applications is, quite simply, people failing to fill out their paperwork properly. Important forms may be missing crucial information, or things like names and addresses might be misspelled or out of date. These may not seem like a big deal, and often they can be easily corrected, but they may still result in a denial if not addressed.
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- Failing to supply necessary documentation
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- Along with your application, you will likely need to supply a number of important documents to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to seek SSDI or SSI benefits. This may include tax returns, income statements, medical records, and anything else that may be necessary to prove your eligibility. If you fail to submit this documentation, your application may be denied.
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- Failing to return calls from the SSA
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- If there is a problem with your application, the SSA will likely try to contact you to fix any problems they find. Provided you respond to their calls or messages, this is not an issue, but many people fail to return calls from the SSA in a timely manner. This can lead to their SSDI or SSI applications being thrown out, forcing them to start all over again.
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- Not going to your DDS appointment
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- Most people who apply for SSDI or SSI benefits will, at some point, need to visit Disability Determination Services (DDS). This is the agency that evaluates people to determine if their medical or psychological issues qualify them for disability benefits. If you fail to go to your DDS appointment, your application may be tossed out, regardless of the merits.
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- Not hiring a lawyer
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- While you do not need to hire a lawyer to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits, doing so can dramatically reduce your chances of success. A lawyer with experience handling disability applications can help you ensure your application is correct and complete, and minimize your risk of rejection. They can also argue on your behalf if your application is denied and you need to appeal.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
