What Should I Do if My SSD Application is Denied?
Having a disability can impact your ability to make a living. If you are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Unfortunately, individuals who qualify for benefits can still have their applications denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If your SSD application has been denied, here are some steps that you can take to remedy your situation.
Reasons that SSD Claims Are Denied
Each year, over 2 million people apply for SSD benefits, with a vast majority receiving claim denials.
SSD claims may be denied for any of the following reasons:
- Applicant has an impairment that is not expected to last 12 months;
- Applicant has an impairment that SSA does not consider to be severe;
- Applicant can perform his or her usual type of work or comparable work;
- Applicant provided insufficient medical evidence to support the claim;
- Applicant continued to work as the claim was in process and made too much money to qualify for SSD benefits;
- The applicant did not provide additional information regarding the claim as requested.
Steps to Take Following an SSD Claim Denial
If your SSD claim has been denied, you do not want to file a new application. Instead, you will want to request a reconsideration or appeal the decision. Let us discuss the difference between the two.
Reconsideration
If Social Security denies your application, you will receive a letter detailing the grounds for the denial. You do have the option to request that Social Security reconsider your claim, which entails them reviewing your entire file.
Appeal
If, after requesting reconsideration, SSA still denies your claim, then you may want to consider filing an appeal. In filing an appeal, you will also request a hearing in the presence of an administrative law judge. The judge will hear evidence and witnesses to decide whether you should receive SSD benefits.
SSA allows applications to file an appeal online. The application takes about 60 minutes to complete, but it will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. You are only required to provide updated medical information.
Whether you apply for reconsideration or file an appeal, you will want to consult with a Tennessee social security disability lawyer. A Social Security disability lawyer will pursue all necessary steps to obtain the benefits you deserve.
What Information Do I Need to Complete an Online Appeal?
To submit an electronic appeal request, you will need to provide SSA with the following information:
- Date of the Initial Denial Notice or Notice of Reconsideration that you are appealing
- Your name
- Your social security number
- Your date of birth
- Your mailing address
- Your phone number
- Third-party information (if applicable)
- Description of your medical condition
- Contact information and dates of visits to healthcare providers
- Types of treatments and tests that were administered since you last provided medical information
- Names of current medications, side effects, and the prescribing doctor
- Contact information for friend or relative who knows about your medical condition
- Any changes in daily tasks, your ability to work, and education
Reach Out to Our Tennessee Social Security Disability Lawyers
Dedication is not something that is always easy to find. When you hire the Social Security disability lawyers at Raybin & Weissman, P.C., you are working with a legal team that is dedicated to getting you the financial assistance you need. To learn more or to schedule your free consultation, contact us by calling (615) 256-6666 or by filling out our online contact form.