The inability to work can affect your family in many ways, particularly regarding your finances. It’s not easy to pay for what you need and support others who depend on you when a physical or mental disability keeps you from earning a gainful income. If you are in this situation, you may have grounds to move forward with a disability benefits claim.
Even with a serious medical problem and completed application, it is still not easy to get disability benefits. Many applicants are surprised to find out that their initial claim came back denied. This is a setback, and it can be incredibly frustrating, but that does not mean that you are out of options. You have the right to appeal a denied claim and take other steps to pursue the financial support you need.
Why a denial?
The Social Security Administration holds a strict definition of disability. This means that, even with a serious medical problem, the SSA may not view your condition as disabling. A case reviewer may look at the evidence and paperwork and determine that you could find employment or support yourself. When you get a denial letter from the SSA, it may list one of the following reasons for denying your disability claim:
- Based on your information, the SSA deemed that you earned too much money to be eligible for benefits.
- It is possible that drugs or alcohol created your medical condition or made it worse.
- Your injuries are related to a criminal conviction of some kind.
- You did not include enough medical documentation in your application to validate your claim.
- Your disability will probably last for less than one year.
- The SSA could not contact you about your claim, or it is not clear that you followed the doctor’s instructions about your treatment.
Regardless of why your claim came back denied, you have the right to appeal or request a reconsideration of your claim. While it’s frustrating, you do not have to give up at this point.
Help from the very beginning
You do not have to walk through the process of seeking disability benefits or appealing a denied claim on your own. Many applicants find it beneficial to work with an experienced attorney who understands the process and can help them take the appropriate steps to get the support they need. Whether you got a denial letter in the mail or you need to apply initially, you may want to start by first seeking an assessment of your case.