Common Mistakes When Applying for Social Security Disability

If you can’t work because of your disabling medical condition, Social Security disability benefits are necessary for your basic needs. Unfortunately, many disabled people encounter problems when applying for disability benefits. Mistakes on your disability application can leave you without the money you need to provide for you and your family.

Understanding the common mistakes people make can help you avoid similar problems. For more information about your disability application, talk to a Social Security disability attorney.

Why Are Most Social Security Disability Claims Denied?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two types of disability benefits:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSDI is for people with a qualifying impairment who are unable to work. SSDI benefits are for people with a work history who have paid into the Social Security system. SSI benefits are for low-income and low-asset disabled people, and there are no work requirements.

You’ll need to submit a lot of information to the SSA when you go through the SSDI initial application process. This includes personal information, medical records, and your employment history. Sometimes, the SSA will require an interview to determine if you qualify. Any problems along the way can hurt your chances of getting your claim approved.

According to them, the Social Security Administration denies about 67% of all disability claims. Below are the most common mistakes people make when applying for Social Security benefits.

Not Enough Work Credits

The SSA reports that not having enough recent work credits is the most common nonmedical reason for denials. For most SSDI claims, you need at least 20 work credits earned within the last 10 years, ending with the year of disability. If you haven’t worked for about half of the last 10 years before your injury, you may not qualify. You can check your work credit history on the Social Security website.

Not Going to the Doctor for Treatment

You must provide supporting medical documentation for the SSA to determine your disability. The SSA determines eligibility based on your healthcare provider’s medical records and other evidence.

The SSA has a list of medical conditions that generally qualify because they prevent people from substantial gainful activity. If your medical condition is not on the list, the SSA will determine if it’s severe enough to prevent you from doing your past work or any other type of work.

Not Following the Doctor’s Treatment Plan

If the doctor prescribes a treatment plan, you have to follow it. You may have good reasons for not following the medical treatment plan. It may be too expensive to get the medication, therapy, and medical appointments. However, the SSA can deny your claim because you’re not following the doctor’s orders.

Applying for Disability Benefits Too Early

Disability benefits are only for medical conditions that have lasted or are likely to last one year or longer or result in death. If you apply for disability benefits too early, the SSA may think you have only suffered a short-term disability. Short-term disability isn’t covered by Social Security benefits.

Making Too Much Money for SSI Benefits

SSI benefits are needs-based. There are income and asset limits to qualify. If you have more than $2,000 in assets, Social Security can deny your SSI claim. Making too much money will put you over the limit for SSI benefits. In 2024, the monthly income limits for an individual for SSI were:

• $1,971 in earned income
• $963 in unearned income

However, some income doesn’t count towards these income limits. Make sure the SSA doesn’t count excluded income.

Waiting Too Long to File an Appeal

There’s a limited time to file an appeal. Generally, an appeal must be filed within 60 days. Options for challenging the denied claim include:

• Reconsideration
• Hearing by an administrative law judge
• Review by the Appeals Council
• Federal Court review

This might not be enough time for you to get all the medical records and test results. It can be too late to file an appeal if you wait too long. You may have to start a new claim and go through the appeals process again. This can delay your benefits for months. You could lose out on thousands of SSI and SSDI benefits.

Not Talking to a Social Security Disability Lawyer

Social Security disability lawyers handle SSI and SSDI claims as part of their daily job. They’re familiar with the ins and outs of the process, including why claims are often denied. A Social Security lawyer can review your case and identify what went wrong. They can help you gather more information that you need to support your claim.

Your attorney can file an appeal and represent you at a Social Security disability hearing. This can increase your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.

How Can a Social Security Disability Lawyer Help?

If the SSA denied your disability claim, a Social Security disability lawyer can review the SSA’s response. They can gather all the evidence to support your claim and start the appeals process. Your lawyer can represent you in the disability hearing and help you get your benefits. Legal representation can help you avoid common disability application mistakes. Contact a Social Security lawyer for help with your disability case.