If you’re applying for or considering applying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, you’ve probably heard that denial rates are high. You may also know that if you appeal, you can wait a long time for a hearing. What you may not know is that both approval rates and the wait time for an appeal hearing differ based on geography. In other words, the chances of an initial SSD claim being approved are higher in some states than others.
In the first quarter of 2024, approval rates for initial claims for SSD only ranged from 34.8% in the state with the lowest approval rate to 57.4%. Just five states had initial SSD approval rates higher than 50%:
New Hampshire – 57.4%
North Dakota – 56%
Vermont – 54%
Nebraska – 52.7%
Rhode Island – 51.5%
Most states had initial SSD application approval rates of between 40% and 50%. But, a handful of states had rates below 50%, including:
Oklahoma – 39.7%
Florida – 39.6%
Georgia – 39.4%
Nevada – 38.8%
Tennessee – 38.3%
Arizona – 34.8%
Why are State SSD Approval Rates So Different?
There are several factors that may play a role in the SSD approval rate in a given state. It’s also worth noting that state populations vary significantly, meaning that the sample sizes are much different. For example, in Alaska, 313 initial SSD-only claims were decided in Q1 of 2024. During the same time period, more than 16,000 such claims were decided in California.
Outcomes in a given state may be affected by variables such as:
How strictly applications are assessed by the team responsible for a particular location
Access to quality medical care in the area, which in turn impacts the applicant’s ability to assemble solid medical documentation
The average age of the population, since older claimants are more likely to be approved
The availability of quality assistance with the application process
While it may be useful to know what to expect in terms of the likelihood of approval at the initial application stage in your state, it’s more important to focus on the factors that are within your control.
While most disabled workers aren’t in a position to relocate to a more favorable state to improve their odds of SSD approval, you can:
Reliably see your doctor and any necessary specialists, ensuring that you’ve established a thorough record of your condition
Follow through with testing and treatment recommendations
Assemble a complete, effective application with the right type of documentation
Know when to get help
An Experienced Disability Benefits Advocate Can Help
The SSD application process can be daunting. In the vast majority of states, more than half of initial applications are denied. You can’t afford to make mistakes or omit important supporting evidence. Fortunately, you don’t have to sort it out alone. To learn more about how our experienced disability benefits advocates can help, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
If you’re unable to work due to a disability, you may be struggling with medical bills and other expenses. While Social Security disability (SSD) is intended to provide income for people in just that situation, it can take months or years to get approved for SSD. Even after you’re approved, there’s a waiting period for Medicare, which means you may need to find other ways to cover medical expenses in the short term.
Many people in this situation are uncertain about what they can and can’t do to try to get by while waiting for an SSD determination or for Medicare benefits to kick in. The good news is that a fundraising effort like a GoFundMe campaign to pay medical bills will not impact your SSD–it won’t affect your application, and it won’t affect the benefits you’re already receiving. But, to ensure that your benefits are secure, it’s important to understand why a GoFundMe doesn’t impact SSD, and how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different.
SSD is Not a Need-Based Program
You may know that your earnings can disqualify you from Social Security disability benefits. That leads many people to worry that any income or assets they have may affect eligibility. But, SSD isn’t based on financial need. It’s an insurance-type program that workers pay for through FICA withholding or self-employment taxes. You can be a millionaire and still collect SSD if you have sufficient work credits and the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers you disabled.
The reason earned income counts against you is that if you’re able to earn a certain amount in a month through work ($1,550 in 2024 unless you’re blind–then it’s $2,590), the SSA doesn’t consider you disabled. Other sources of income like a GoFundMe campaign, gifts, income on investments, trust payouts, and even winning the lottery don’t count.
SSI is Based on Financial Need
SSI is a needs-based program that is not funded through payroll deductions. Therefore, income from a wider range of sources is considered when determining eligibility–whether you earned that income or not. In other words, if you are receiving SSI or applying for SSI, the money you get through a campaign like a GoFundMe can disqualify you.
Applying for SSD Benefits And Concerned Your GoFundMe Will Affect The Process?
The experienced disability benefits at Disability Help Group know this type of question is just one example of the many ways the SSD application and appeals process can be confusing. Small mistakes can delay benefits or result in denial. To learn more about how we put our experience to work for people like you, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
Social Security disability and other Social Security benefits are often the recipient’s main–or only–source of support. Both types of benefits are protected from most creditors, meaning that your Social Security disability or retirement benefits won’t be disrupted by garnishment to pay debts like credit card bills and medical collection accounts. But, there are exceptions.
One important exception is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) can recoup (take back) money that was overpaid to a recipient. They’re required by law to try to collect that money. In the past, that’s created crises for some who rely on disability benefits, because the SSA could take a recipient’s full disability check to pay themselves back. Fortunately, that’s changed in 2024.
Default Social Security Recoupment Rates Drop Dramatically
Until recently, the default for collecting over paid money from a Social Security recipient was for the SSA to keep 100% of the recipient’s benefits until the overpayment was repaid in full. Suddenly losing benefits entirely for a month or more could be catastrophic for someone reliant on disability payments.
Now, the default recoupment rate is 10%. That means that in most overpayment cases, the SSA will withhold 10% from each benefit check instead of recouping the overpayment as fast as possible by withholding full benefits. Note, though, that this new rule doesn’t apply in every case. For instance, if the overpayment resulted from fraud on the recipient’s part, the SSA can recoup more aggressively.
The SSA has also made other changes that will make it easier for disability recipients and others who rely on Social Security payments to repay overpayments over time, or even to avoid repayment.
What to Do When You Get an Overpayment Letter
When the SSA determines that you’ve received an overpayment, the first thing you should do is check to see whether you believe you have been overpaid. If you think the overpayment notice is an error, you can request reconsideration.
If you believe you received an overpayment but it wasn’t your fault and you can’t afford to pay the SSA back, you can request a waiver.
If you agree that you received an overpayment and you can afford to repay it over time, but can’t afford the amount the SSA is taking out of your benefit each month, you can request a change in the recovery rate. This option is only available if you show that you can’t afford your basic living expenses with the current rate of recoupment.
Need help? At Disability Help Group, we know the SSA’s processes can be complicated and daunting. Whether you’re facing issues with an overpayment, are just starting your disability application, or have been denied benefits, our experienced advocates are here for you. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
When you’re applying for Social Security disability (SSD), you’ll typically need to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with a lot of medical documentation. Exactly what type of medical information is required will depend on your medical condition or conditions. The medical records SSA is looking for may include doctor’s notes, diagnostic test results, and other documentation.
The first question many SSD applicants have is where to get the documentation they need. Here’s what you need to know about finding the right doctor to work with to gather the documentation you need.
Your Own Doctor Can Be Your Best Resource
The SSA doesn’t require that medical documentation come from a doctor on their roster or one they’ve pre-approved. In fact, they often prefer information from the doctor who has been treating you. Your own doctor may already have test results and other documentation the SSA wants to see. That makes the process more efficient and saves them from having to pay a doctor to conduct exams or run tests.
Your own doctor may also be able to provide more in-depth information about the limitations you face and the progress of your medical condition, since you may have been seeing them before you became disabled, or started treatment with them early in your disability.
What if Your Doctor Won’t Participate?
Some doctors are reluctant to get involved in the SSD application process. This can happen for different reasons. In some cases, the doctor doesn’t believe disability is warranted. In others, they simply don’t want to take on the extra work of providing a statement and other information. Others have different reasons.
If concern about the complexity of the process and time commitment is an issue, you may be able to persuade your doctor to participate by doing the legwork and showing them exactly what would be required–it’s not very time-consuming. If they still don’t want to participate, you can:
If you’re being treated by both a general practitioner and one or more specialists, ask your other doctor(s) to complete documentation
Obtain your medical records and test results from the non-participating doctor
Seek a new doctor who will cooperate with the SSD application process
You’ll want to consider practicalities in finding the right doctor, such as working with someone in an accessible location and making sure the doctor is in-network for your medical insurance.
Your Disability Benefits Advocate Can Help
If you’re working with a disability benefits advocate to secure SSD benefits, your advocate may be able to help you find a doctor who will work with you, and help coordinate the collection of the information you need from your physician. That’s just one of many ways an experienced advocate can help keep your claim moving forward smoothly. To learn more about how Disability Help Group can assist with putting together the strongest application or appeal possible, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
How to Fill Out the SSA Function Report within the Timeline
The Social Security disability (SSD) application process can be stressful, and that’s never more true than when you’re up against a tight timeline. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) asks you to complete a “function report,” you’ll typically have just 10 days to respond. That can be especially daunting because the form is 10 pages long.
The short timeline often inspires applicants to scramble, meaning they may do a cursory job of completing the form and leave out important information. You can’t afford to make that mistake. If you’re working with a disability benefits advocate, contact them immediately if the SSA asks you to complete a function report.
What is the Social Security Function Report?
A function report asks you for a wide range of information about your condition, treatment, and impact on day-to-day life, including:
Information about your living situation
Information about how your condition limits your ability to work
Information about your typical daily activities
Information about other people or animals you care for and what help you receive
Information about changes in your abilities since you became ill or were injured
Information about how your condition affects your ability to perform certain personal care and maintenance activities like bathing and preparing meals
Information about activities outside the house and how you get around
Information about your basic physical abilities and mental tolerance
Information about equipment you use, such as a wheelchair or walker
Information about the medications you take and any side effects
The form also provides an opportunity for additional comments if you have information that wasn’t covered in a question.
It’s very important to take full advantage of this opportunity to provide information to the SSA about how your life and ability to work and to care for yourself has been affected by your medical condition. Your answers could make the difference between having your SSD claim approved or having to go through a lengthy appeals process.
Ideally, you will complete the form thoroughly within the time allotted. But, your SSD benefits advocate may tell you that it’s more important to complete the form thoroughly and provide complete information, even if that takes a few more days. Make sure to get the advice you need immediately after receiving the form.
Disability Help Group is Here for You
The seasoned advocates at Disability Help Group are dedicated to helping people with disabilities get the benefits they deserve. Whether you are just applying for SSD or you are appealing a denial, call us today at 800-800-3332 to learn more about how we can help. Or, fill out the contact form on this page.
