Reasons Your Disability Claims May Be Denied

– Matt Sauerwald, President, Disability Help Group

Matt Sauerwald has been a dedicated advocate for people seeking disability benefits for over a decade. He’s represented thousands of clients and thoroughly knows the disability application and appeals processes. 

Matt knows that most Social Security disability applications are initially denied and that understanding the most common reasons for denial can help you improve your chances of submitting a successful application.

Common Reasons for SSDI Claims Denial

Many people assume that Social Security disability denials are generally based on how the Social Security Administration (SSA) views the medical documentation submitted. However, many SSDI claims are denied before the SSA ever reaches the point of assessing the applicant’s medical condition. In the most recent year reported, the SSA denied more than 39% of workers’ claims for disability benefits for technical reasons. 

Non-Medical Denials in SSDI Cases

Some of the most common non-medical reasons claims for SSDI benefits might be denied include: 

• Insufficient work credits: to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have earned a certain number of work credits. The number of total credits and recent credits required depends on your age at the time you became disabled.
• Making too much money: disability benefits are intended for people whose medical conditions prevent them from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). So, if you earn above the SGA threshold, you won’t qualify.
• Not providing sufficient information or failing to cooperate: to be granted disability benefits, you must provide all required information and be responsive to any requests from the SSA. 

Medical Denials

To receive SSDI benefits, you must show that your medical condition or combination of medical conditions renders you unable to earn a living. Your claim may be denied if:

• You’ve provided insufficient medical documentation to prove your condition.
• The SSA determines that your condition isn’t severe enough to prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
• You aren’t following medical recommendations that could improve your condition.
• The disabling condition is not suspected to last for at least one year.
• The SSA determines that there is still work you can perform, despite your medical limitations.

Submit the Strongest SSDI Application Possible

Many SSDI denials happen due to innocent mistakes or missing information. The best way to avoid those missteps that could result in denial or delay your claim is to work with an experienced disability benefits advocate from the beginning. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 or contact us here for a FREE case evaluation.

Matthew Sauerwald is one of the top disability benefits advocates in the nation. He fights for the rights of people pursuing Social Security disability or VA disability benefits. Currently, he leads Disability Help Group, one of the most successful disability advocacy organizations in the United States.