Every year, about two million people apply for Social Security disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, more than half of these applications are denied, many of them never even getting as far as an interview. Here are five of the biggest reasons why people have their SSDI application denied:
- Paperwork errors
- The single biggest reason that people have their SSDI application denied is simply that they made some kind of serious paperwork error. They may have filled out something incorrectly, or forgotten to submit an important document. When this happens, applications get thrown out entirely before the merits of their claim are even considered.
- Lack of medical evidence
- When people apply for Social Security disability benefits, they are supposed to submit medical evidence of whatever medical conditions they have. Unfortunately, it is not enough to rely on a person’s word alone that they have a disability. If you submit an SSDI application without medical records or other sufficient medical evidence, your application could be denied.
- Insufficient work credits
- To be able to obtain SSDI benefits, you need to have obtained a certain number of “work credits.” You do this by engaging in paid work over the course of many years, depending on how old you are. For adults over the age of 31, this typically means getting forty (40) work credits, representing ten years of paid work. If you do not have a sufficient number of work credits based on your age, your SSDI application may be denied.
- Failure to follow doctor’s orders
- Another issue that some people run into is that they have a disability, but they either have not had it treated by a doctor, or they have refused to follow their doctor’s prescribed treatment regimen. Unfortunately, to obtain SSDI, you must show that you are unable to work despite having been treated by a doctor and following your doctor’s orders. If you fail to adhere to your treatment regimen, your SSDI application could be denied.
- Failure to respond to follow-up calls
- The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will rarely deny someone’s application right away, and will give them an opportunity to correct any problems. However, this means you must respond to any follow-up calls or other attempts to contact you, which can allow you to address any problems with your SSDI application. If you fail to respond to any of these follow ups, your application could be denied.
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.
