Trying to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be a very intimidating experience. There are so many myths around it that the average person may give up before they even begin.
Many people who have medical conditions that would qualify them delay applying because they worry about having enough documentation of the medical condition or about whether their condition will actually meet the requirements to qualify as a disability. Others believe that their condition is bad enough for them to qualify but still worry about the stress of a denied claim.
More people than not are denied after their initial application
In fact, the majority of people requesting SSDI benefits don’t get a quick approval and need to appeal the decision to get their benefits in some cases. According to data provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the denial rate for claims averages about 64%. Just over 20% of applicants receive an approval initially, and another 2% to 9% of applicants getting benefits due to a reconsideration or a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
You should not let an early denial make you feel like you can’t get the benefits you need to support yourself. If you have help during the appeal process, you will be able to correct any mistakes you made on your application and even submit more evidence, particularly if you have a hearing.
There are multiple stages of appeal available to help you get the SSDI benefits you need. Even if you applied on your own and received a denial, you are still in a position to learn about your rights, correct any previous mistakes and appeal to get your benefits.