Understanding Why Your Social Security Disability Claim Has Been Denied
Most Social Security disability (SSDI) claims are denied at first. The good news is that many claims that are initially denied are approved later, most often at the hearing stage. To give yourself the best chance of having your disability claim approved on reconsideration or appeal, it’s important to understand what went wrong with the initial application.
Some denials are easy to understand, and you can skip right to determining whether there is a way to fix the problem. For example:
Your denial notice may say that you don’t have enough Social Security work credits to qualify for disability benefits. In that case, you’ll want to carefully check the records against your actual work history to see if anything is missing. If you think the Social Security Administration (SSA) got it wrong, an experienced disability advocate can help you sort out the issue.
Your denial notice may say that you are earning too much money to qualify for benefits. Since many conditions worsen over time and it can take months to receive an initial determination, your ability to work may have been further compromised by the time you receive your denial.
Some denials aren’t quite so easy to understand. In part, that’s because of technical medical and legal jargon. But, it’s also partly because the most important question isn’t “Why did the SSA say I’m not eligible?” but “What about my application made the SSA conclude that I’m not eligible and what can I do about it?” An experienced disability benefits advocate can be a big help in answering that second question.
Determining What Your Disability Claim Denial Really Means
Imagine that the SSA sends you a notice saying that they recognize that you can no longer perform your previous job because of your medical condition. However, they have concluded that there are still other jobs you can do. So, you don’t qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
One explanation for that type of disability claim denial notice is that it’s true. For example, maybe you have limited mobility and that prevents you from going back into construction work. But, your work and educational history indicate that you would still be able to perform a number of other jobs that you’re still capable of doing with your medical condition.
Sometimes, though, the SSA mistakenly reaches that conclusion because you didn’t provide enough information, or your medical records weren’t specific enough. In that case, you may succeed in securing benefits at the reconsideration or appeal stage–but only if you know what to do differently as you move forward. That’s where Disability Help Group comes in. Our experienced advocates understand how Social Security disability claim denials work, and what type of supplemental information is likely to be helpful in overcoming that denial. If you’ve been denied SSDI, contact us now to learn more about how we can help. Call (800) 800-3332, or fill out our contact form.
How Long Will My Social Security Disability Appeal Take?
When you visit the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) website, you’ll find an estimate that it will take three to six months to receive a determination on your Social Security disability (SSDI) application. That’s true, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Most SSDI claims are denied at the initial application stage. So, the amount of time that passes before the initial determination may be much shorter than the amount of time that passes before you actually receive Social Security disability benefits.
Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial
In most states, the first step after receiving a Social Security disability (SSDI ) denial is to file a request for reconsideration. This is typically the quickest step in the process. Still, you have up to 60 days to submit the request, and it can take another one to three months to receive a decision. Add the time to submit your request and the time waiting for a decision to the time you waited for an initial decision and you could be nine months or even a year out from your initial application when you receive a ruling on your request for reconsideration.
Unfortunately, the success rate at the reconsideration stage is quite low. So, most applicants will have to move on to requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).
Getting to the ALJ Hearing
The ALJ hearing is the stage where the highest percentage of claims are approved. But, it takes time to get there. Exactly how long it takes to get a hearing before an administrative law judge varies by location.
According to SSA data from October of 2022, the shortest average wait times in the country were about eight months. More than 60% of locations have an average wait time of at least one year, and about a dozen locations around the country have average wait times of 18-24 months.
In other words, depending on where you are and other factors, your ALJ hearing may take place between about 18 months and three years of your initial application. After the hearing, you may get a decision in as little as a few weeks. Or, it may take a few months.
Is There a Way to Speed Up the SSDI Appeals Process?
There’s no way to shortcut the process, but you can keep your application moving as efficiently as possible by ensuring that you:
Provide a complete and accurate application and all necessary documentation
Make sure you submit your request for reconsideration and appeal promptly
Provide all necessary information, including updating medical information, at each stage
An experienced disability benefits advocate can help ensure that you’re giving yourself the best opportunity for an efficient approval. To learn more, contact us here or call (800) 800-3332 right now.
What You Need to Know: Social Security and Long-Term Disability Benefits
Long-term disability insurance can be a great safety net. But, what happens if you have long-term disability and you would also be qualified for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI)? Understanding how these benefits work together can help with your planning while you’re healthy and working, and ease the path toward securing payments if you become disabled.
Does Long-Term Disability Insurance Disqualify You for SSDI?
Many people are concerned that long-term disability will make them ineligible for SSDI or reduce the amount of benefits available. Social Security disability is not need-based, which means most other income has no impact on eligibility. The main exception is income earned from work, since that income may demonstrate that you’re still able to participate in substantial gainful activity.
Private long-term disability benefits will not impact SSDI eligibility or the amount of benefits received. However, certain other types of disability benefits may affect SSDI. For example, if you are receiving long-term disability through workers’ compensation, you may still qualify for Social Security disability. However, there is a cap on the combined amount of benefits you may receive. So, your SSDI payments may be reduced.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different. SSI is need-based, and the income cut-off is low. In 2023, it’s just $934/month. So, depending on the amount, long-term disability could disqualify a disabled person from receiving SSI benefits. In fact, many SSDI applicants are disqualified from SSI based on their SSDI income.
Does SSDI Affect Long-Term Disability Benefits?
The short answer is that it depends on your policy. Typically, a long-term disability insurance carrier will require beneficiaries who are qualified for Social Security disability to apply for those benefits. In that case, failing to apply for SSDI could mean losing long-term disability benefits. If you are receiving or have become eligible for private long-term disability benefits, make sure you know whether your policy requires you to apply for SSDI and what the time limit is.
Many policies provide that benefits will be reduced by the amount of SSDI received. For example, if you are receiving $2,000/month in private long-term disability benefits and are approved for $800/month in SSDI, the long-term disability payments may drop to $1,200/month.
Talk to a Disability Benefits Advocate
At Disability Help Group, we know how daunting and confusing coordinating disability benefits can be. We’re here to help make sure you receive all of the benefits you’re entitled to, and get them as quickly as possible. To learn more about how we can help, contact or call us (800) 800-3332.
Tips for Getting Your Disability Benefits Approved Fast
Social Security disability benefits offer an important lifeline to people who are no longer able to work. But, the application and appeals process can be lengthy. The delay in receiving benefits can mean a rough transition for someone who has lost their source of income. While there’s no magic bullet for getting benefits quickly, there are some steps you can take to keep your application for disability benefits moving forward smoothly and speed up approval.
How to Apply for SSDI for the Quickest Response
Speeding up the Social Security disability benefits approval process starts with your application.
That includes:
Applying For Disability Benefits as Soon as You Become Disabled
For nearly all conditions, there’s a five-month waiting period. That means you don’t receive benefits until the sixth month after you become disabled. But, that doesn’t mean you should wait until the sixth month to apply. In 2021, the average processing time for an initial SSDI application was 147 days. That’s nearly five months, so get the ball rolling as soon as you have the necessary information.
Applying Online
The SSA says applying online can reduce the time it takes to receive a determination on your initial Social Security disability application.
Making Sure Your Disability Benefits Application is Complete
Missing information can mean delays or even a denial. The SSA offers a checklist of information you’ll need to apply, along with a worksheet to help you organize your work history and medical conditions. Take advantage of these tools to make sure your application is thorough. (And don’t be confused by the header that says these documents are for interview prep–the questions will be the same whether you apply online or live.)
Provide as Much Medical Information as Possible
SSA can help obtain medical records if necessary. But, the more information you include with the initial application, the more efficient the process.
Keep the SSDI Application Process Moving
Most initial applications are denied. A lot of Social Security disability applicants who are denied in the first round are later approved, so don’t get discouraged. But, don’t drag your feet, either. The sooner you move on to the next step in the process, the sooner you’ll get that next decision. And, there’s a deadline for each additional step. If you miss that, you may have to start from scratch, and that could delay the process by months.
A Social Security Disability Advocate Can Help
At Disability Help Group, we know it’s easy to get bogged down in the SSDI application and appeals process. Our team of caring, experienced advocates is here to help you navigate that process, avoid unnecessary delays, and improve your chances of approval. To learn more, call (800) 800-3332 right now, or fill out the contact form on this site.
Can You Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits?
The short answer is “it’s complicated.” You can both qualify for SSDI and continue receiving benefits with some income from work. But, there are limits, and ensuring that you don’t lose eligibility can be complicated. The first step is understanding that the standards applied during the application process and the yardstick used for those receiving disability benefits are different. Income is assessed differently when you’re applying for disability benefits than it is when you’re receiving benefits. Here’s a high-level look at how your income will be assessed at each stage.
Getting Approved for SSDI While Working
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must show that you are unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity (SGA).” The Social Security Administration generally considers anyone earning more than a specific amount to be engaged in SGA. That number changes every year.
For 2023, the SGA cut-off will be $1,470 per month for most applicants. For applicants who are blind, the cut-off is increased to $2,460 per month. This limit applies only to earned income. Other types of income, such as investment income, trust income, and other non-work income has no effect on SSDI eligibility.
It’s important to note that these numbers are pre-tax. In other words, SSA is looking at your gross income, not the net amount you receive after deductions.
The Cut-Off for SSI Benefits is Different
Unlike SSDI, eligibility for SSI benefits depends in part on financial need. That means all income counts, earned or not. And, the earning cut-off is lower. For 2023, the maximum monthly income from all sources is $914.
You must report any income from work to the SSA when you are receiving SSDI benefits
Any month in which you earn more than the current limit will be treated as a “trial work month”
For 2023, that limit is $1,050 per month
As long as you’re otherwise qualified and you report your earnings, you will continue to receive benefits in trial work months
If you have nine trial work months within a 60-month period, you transition to an extended eligibility period
During your 36-month extended eligibility period, you can still get SSDI benefits–but only in the months when you earn less than the SGA threshold explained above
If your benefits stop due to substantial earnings but you’re unable to keep working because of your condition, you have five years to restart your benefits without a new application or medical review
Here, too, SSA is looking at gross income and not the net amount you bring home.
If you return to work after receiving SSDI, your Medicare benefits will continue for at least 93 months after your trial work period. If eligibility runs out, you can purchase continuing Medicare coverage.
Working While on SSDI Requires Careful Management
SSA’s work incentives and Ticket to Work program offer an opportunity for those on SSDI to supplement their income as they are able, and provide a safety net for those trying to return to work. But, with reporting requirements, cumulative trial work months, and changing income thresholds, it’s easy to make a mistake.
If you run into trouble, Disability Help Group is here for you. Our team was founded by experienced disability experts who have been representing the disabled for over 15 years. Disability Help Group understands how to work with the Social Security Administration and Veterans’ Affairs in the best interest of the disabled person. Contact us or call (800) 800-3332 to talk to a seasoned disability advocate.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security disability (SSDI) can provide essential income and access to medical care for those who qualify. But, the process can be complicated and discouraging. The more you know in advance about how the process works and what is expected of you, the better.
This post provides an overview of how to apply for Social Security disability benefits. If you need additional information or assistance, a Social Security Disability Advocate can be your best resource.
When and How to Start Your SSDI Application
The best time to apply for Social Security disability benefits is as soon as you become disabled. For most disabilities, you won’t be eligible for benefits until your sixth month of disability. But, the process can take time. Even if you are approved at the initial application stage, it can take three to six months. So, don’t delay.
The best way to submit your application is online–online applications move more quickly, and you’ll have the opportunity to stop the process if necessary to gather information or just take a break. You can easily return to your saved application later. If you’re unable to apply online, you may call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213.
What You’ll Need for Your Social Security Disability Benefits Application
The SSA will need information about your work history, your medical condition, and your daily activities and limitations to make a decision on your application. The SSA makes some materials available to help you make sure you have all of the information you need for your application, such as this medical and work history worksheet. Gathering this information in advance is especially important if you will be making your application over the phone.
What To Expect After You Apply for Disability Benefits
It typically takes three to six months to receive a determination on your initial application for Social Security disability benefits. If your initial application is denied, don’t be discouraged. The approval rate is low at the initial application stage, but many of those applicants go on to receive benefits at a later stage in the process.
Learn How a Social Security Disability Advocate Can Help
An experienced advocate can help ensure that your application is complete, that you’ve provided the right documentation, and that you haven’t made mistakes that could delay or derail your claim. The earlier you get knowledgeable guidance, the better.
If you’ve already filed and your claim has been denied, we can help with that, too. Call (800) 800-2009 to learn more about how we can put our experience to work for you.
