Social Security disability benefits exist to give the most severely disabled Americans the financial assistance they need to get by. There is a lot of misinformation about the process of obtaining benefits. If you are among the many residents of Oklahoma who have cause to apply for benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration, it may serve you well to separate fact from fiction as you work through the application process.
That way, if the administration does, ultimately, approve you for disability benefits, you will have an accurate picture of what to expect, and you can plan for your future accordingly. So, what are some common myths about the Social Security disability benefits application and approval process?
Myth #1: The administration denies almost all claims
While it is true that many people who apply for disability benefits receive denials the first time they apply, many of these applicants find success through filing an appeal. In 2013, about 33% of all applicants received approvals in response to their initial claims, representing about a third of all applicants. Many more, however, had their applications approved after mounting successful appeals.
Myth #2: Your doctor’s word is enough for an approval
Unfortunately, sometimes, it takes more than the word of your doctor for the administration to approve you for disability benefits. Ultimately, the decision as to whether to grant you benefits is a legal, rather than medical, one. While having your doctor’s support can certainly help your cause, it does not necessarily mean the administration will approve you.
Myth #3: Disability benefits are lifelong
While disability benefits seek to help those with long-term disabilities unlikely to improve over time, you may still need to undergo a periodic review to make sure you still qualify for benefits.
Applying for disability benefits, and appealing after benefit denials, can prove complicated. The more you understand about how everything works, the more likely you may be to have your application ultimately approved.