You feel like it’s very clear that you’re disabled, and you know well how it has changed your life. You expect to get Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits as a result. Isn’t the system specifically set up to help those who need it most? You file your claim expecting to be approved.
Then, your application gets denied. It feels like the government is telling you that you’re not disabled, even though you know you are. This can be frustrating and perplexing. You have appeal rights, however, and it’s important to take a good look at your claim to see what you can do to overcome that denial.
Did you submit a complete medical record?
The first thing to consider is whether or not you submitted a complete medical record, which is required for the government’s review. If your paperwork is incomplete, your denial letter may tell you that the disability examiners just don’t have enough evidence to see that you’re disabled — which is very different than saying you’re not disabled in the first place. You just need to submit all of the proper paperwork so that they can review your claim again.
There are other minor paperwork errors that could contribute to your claim’s denial as well. The government adheres to strict standards. Even just forgetting to fill out some information on a nearly-completed sheet can be enough for a denial. Again, this feels like they’re telling you that you’re not disabled, but they aren’t. They’re just telling you that they don’t have enough information to approve your claim. It’s still frustrating, but it may be fixable.
What steps should you take if your SSDI claim was denied?
These can be complex cases. Be sure you know exactly what steps to take to overcome a disability denial and how to get the benefits that you deserve. It may be wisest to speak with an attorney who understands the Social Security Disability claims process.