According to statistics reported by the Social Security Administration (SSA), only about a quarter of all applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are accepted each year. Often, these denials are the result of problems with the application, resulting in disqualification before the SSA ever gets to weigh on the merits of the case. Here are five ways that people may accidentally disqualify themselves from SSDI or SSI benefits:
- Missing or erroneous information
- One of the single biggest reasons that SSDI and SSI applications get rejected is that people fill out the forms wrong, or fail to submit necessary paperwork. It may seem ridiculous, but a massive number of applications are thrown out from the start simply because necessary information is missing or erroneous. Thus, simply checking your forms to make sure you have everything you need is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you do not disqualify yourself.
- Lack of medical evidence
- Another way that SSDI and SSI applicants can disqualify themselves comes from a lack of medical evidence for their disability. Unsurprisingly, the SSA will not just take people at their word that they are disabled, and require proof of the disability in the form of medical records. If you fail to submit those records, you can expect your application to be rejected.
- Making too much money
- SSDI and SSI benefits are meant to help people who are unable to support themselves financially due to their disability. Because of this, both SSDI and SSI place a maximum limit on the amount of money you can make and still obtain those benefits. Thus, if you make too much money over a given period, you may find yourself financially disqualified from obtaining disability benefits.
- Failing to follow doctor’s orders
- If you have a severe medical condition, but it can be successfully managed through medical treatment, the SSA will probably determine that you are not qualified for SSDI or SSI. This is also true if you have a severe medical condition but have failed to comply with a doctor’s prescribed treatment. If you seek disability benefits without first trying to improve your condition, you may disqualify yourself from obtaining benefits.
- Failure to respond
- Many of the potential problems with an application can be resolved later on, if you make sure to respond to the SSA’s calls and messages. However, not everyone is responsive to these calls, and fails to follow-up to deal with issues with their application. As a result of remaining out of communication, these applicants accidentally disqualify themselves from SSDI and SSI benefits.
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.
