Top Reasons for SSDI Denial

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program funded through payroll taxes. It provides financial assistance to individuals with medical conditions preventing them from working in any significant capacity for at least one year.

You only qualify for SSDI eligibility if you pay social security taxes. Additional qualifications for SSDI rely on meeting the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) strict definition of disability. To help determine eligibility answer these five essential questions:

1. Are You Working? If you are employed in a position that pays more than $1,470 (or $2,460 if you are legally blind) a month, you will not qualify for benefits.
2. Is Your Condition Severe? You will not be eligible to receive SSDI if your condition will not significantly limit your ability to perform work-related activities for at least 12 months.
3. Is Your Condition Found in the List of Debilitating Conditions? The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions considered severe enough for SSDI. If your condition is not on that list, it must be similar to a listed condition to qualify for benefits.
4. Can You Do the Work You Did Previously? Your condition must prevent you from performing any of your past work, including that below your current experience or pay grade, to qualify for SSDI.
5. Can You Do Any Other Type of Work? Considering your age, medical condition, past work experience, transferable skills, and similar factors, if you can work in any capacity, you will not qualify for disability benefits.

Understanding your rights under SSDI can be frustrating, complex, and extremely challenging. These are just some of the reasons it is wise to hire an experienced SSDI attorney to assist with your claim.

Common Reasons for SSDI Claim Denials

Many people who qualify are still denied this vital benefit. Common reasons for denial of an SSDI claim include:

• Insufficient medical evidence to support your claim
• A history of denied SSDI claims
• Failure to cooperate with the SSA
• Unwillingness to follow treatment recommendations

Only 22 percent of SSDI claims are approved after their initial filing. While working with a lawyer is not a guarantee against denial, it can help ensure you only apply for benefits you are qualified to receive. Having a lawyer can also help to ensure your paperwork and accompanying documentation is sufficient to support your claim.

Bringing decades of experience and a long history of success to each claim we pursue, the Oklahoma SSDI lawyers at Johnson & Biscone have the resources and background necessary to help qualified applicants avoid and appeal denials. To learn more, call us at 405-232-6490 to schedule a free case review. Located in Oklahoma City, our attorneys proudly represent people living in all areas of the state.