You may have started developing medical issues later in life. It could have just been aging eyes or an injury received early on in life that has become problematic. Whatever your unique situation, you filed for Social Security Disability benefits.
Social Security Disability benefits are an entitlement that you’ve earned, and they’re supposed to be there for you to ease your life — but you have to get through the application process and get approved, first. Understanding why your claim might be denied can help you avoid problems. Here are three reasons that can good claims get denied:
Your paperwork wasn’t right
Don’t let anyone fool you into believing filing for Social Security Disability benefits is easy. One little misstep with the paperwork is all it may take to have your entire claim rejected.
This happens because benefit applications go through an extensive screening process before a claim is approved. If you leave blank spaces on your application, don’t sign the medical releases, don’t provide enough information about the limitations caused by your disability or don’t provide your doctors’ contact information, your claim could easily be denied.
You’re still working despite your disability
Social Security Disability is intended for people who can no longer engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA). Per Social Security, you have to be unable to work at any substantial level due to your disability for at least a year in order to qualify for benefits. This may make getting disability benefits harder if you currently work despite your condition.
You did not respond to follow-up contacts
You may be asked to send additional information about your disabilities to the Social Security Administration. If you don’t submit the requested paperwork within the time limit Social Security provides, your claim can be denied. Similarly, if you have even been asked to attend a consultative exam to evaluate your condition, the failure to respond to SSA’s request will usually end in a denied claim.
Social Security Disability benefits are your right when your condition makes it impossible to work. If your claim has been denied, you may need to seek legal help to get your disability benefits approved.