When you apply for Social Security benefits, you likely are anxious for your claim approval to go through. You’re ready to receive your benefits and move forward. However, sometimes that doesn’t happen. In few fact, the Social Security Administration reports that disability applicants only receive those benefits about 22% of the time on their initial try.
Social Security can deny your claim for several reasons. Some of the most common are the following:
1. Lack of hard medical evidence
You have to prove that your medical condition prevents you from working. You need to provide medical records that show how your illness or injury prevents you from working, such as a doctor documenting how severe back pain has sidelined you from your construction job.
2. Not following a treatment plan
You also need to show in your application that you have been following your doctor’s treatment plan. The Social Security Administration can’t know that your injury or illness truly keeps you from working if you don’t follow the treatment plan.
3. Not cooperating with the Social Security office
The Social Security office may request that you see a specific doctor, who will evaluate your disability. You may need to provide further documentation of your disability for your claim. If you don’t do what the Social Security office requests, your claim likely will be denied.
What should I know about the appeal process?
Thankfully, you can appeal the denial of Social Security disability benefits. You have 60 days to file your appeal.
Your chance of having your disability benefits approved will be better if you have help from an attorney with experience handling Social Security disability claims. An attorney can ensure you don’t miss any required deadlines and have all the information completed correctly in your application. Even a simple mistake can lead to denial. Don’t take that chance and reach out to an attorney who can help you.