In the event a person suffers from a permanent or temporary disability, he or she could qualify for SSDI benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, over eight million people were using SSDI benefits by the end of 2016.
Those who are unable to work should file a claim. However, what should people do if they are denied a claim? This does happen every so often, and fortunately, there is a process to follow to receive essential benefits.
Appeal instead of refile
Many make the mistake of filing another SSDI claim rather than appealing. Most of the time, this is merely a waste of time because if a person was denied once through the standard application, then chances are high he or she will be denied again.
An appeal is different. It involves the disabled person scheduling a hearing with a Social Security Council to discuss why he or she believes SSDI benefits are in order. It is paramount to file this appeal as soon as possible. When people wait too long, they face a significant uphill battle trying to reverse the initial decision.
Determine why denial was made
Occasionally, people are denied benefits because of clerical issues or other small mistakes. The denial notice will often contain an explanation for why the person was denied, but sometimes it will not contain this information. If it does not, then the person needs to contact the Social Security Administration to learn more.
Hire a disability lawyer
Going into an appeals process can be daunting. Having an attorney who understands the ins and outs of the law can help greatly. Additionally, a disability lawyer can track down medical records and other important documents to help with a case. Simply having someone to lend a helping hand is a great asset.