Denied SSDI Claims - What to Do If Your Benefits Claim Has Been Denied
Get Help Today from a Trusted Disability Law Firm
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits through the Government, you are likely depending on those benefits to cover your basic living expenses. When an application is denied, it’s normal to feel panicked, confused or helpless. Stop. Take a deep breath and understand these two things:
1. 2 out of 3 applications are denied
It is very common for your initial SSDI application to be denied. In fact, the majority of first-time applicants are denied. There are literally millions of people who are currently receiving benefits that were once denied.
2.We have helped thousands of people in your same position
Every day, we talk to people exactly like you. People who have struggled with the inability to work, found hope while applying for SSDI benefits only to have that hope shattered when the application is denied. We will fight for you at every step of the way and work tirelessly to get your claim approved.
Denied Claims are Very Common
While having a claim denied can feel discouraging, it’s important to understand that MOST initial applications are denied. The office staff that review applications are typically overworked and overwhelmed. Applications are routinely denied upon the appearance that they are incomplete, lacking medical evidence or improperly filled out. The Social Security Claims Administration office sees millions of applications and like most government agencies they are underfunded. Having an experienced advocate from the Clarkson Firm can help you apply for disability and can increase the likelihood that your claim is approved.
The Disability Appeals - or “Reconsideration” Process
If your initial application is denied, contact us for help. Remember valid claims are denied every day - you still have a very good chance of getting your benefits approved. The advocates at the Clarkson firm can work with you and review your application to determine why it was denied.
- Form Filled Out Incorrectly
This may seem like a petty reason, but the people who review your information need very little reason to deny an application. Having an experienced SSDI benefits lawyer review your form can help you avoid mistakes. - Form not Completed
The application itself can feel long - there are sections that may not apply to you. However, it’s critical that the form is filled out completely. An incomplete application will be denied 100% of the time. - Not Enough Medical Evidence
One very important piece of the disability application process is having the medical evidence to back up your claim. No matter how limited you might be due to your medical conditions, it won't mean much to Social Security without some solid medical evidence that supports what you are saying. During the appeal process, The Clarkson Firm will review your medical evidence and determine what can be done to make your case stronger before your hearing. This might mean looking for a different doctor who will do a better job documenting your medical impairments. We can also work with you to obtain a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form from your doctor, assuming he or she is willing to complete one on your behalf. This is a form your doctor can complete that lays out what all work-related restrictions you have due to your medical impairments. If your doctor does a good job documenting your complaints and symptoms in his or her treatment notes and then later completes a RFC form that is consistent with those treatment notes, you will have a leg up going into your disability hearing. If you have questions about medical evidence, the RFC form, or how to work with a medical provider to obtain one, we can help.
How Long Does an SSDI Appeal Take?
Your claim can be approved at any point during the reconsideration process, but the total time it will take to receive benefits depends on how many appeal steps you ultimately go through. The Social Security Administration can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months to return your initial application. If you then enter the reconsideration process, 
that can be another 3 to 9 months. If your claim is denied after the reconsideration process, our disability lawyers will work with you to request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The waiting time for the hearing with the Judge can take another 18 months. So the total timeframe for appealing a denied claim can take up to two years.
This is why it’s so important to work with an SSDI lawyer who understands the system and can help you avoid any unneeded delays. The reality is, even if you do everything perfect the system can still take a lot of time. Avoid making your SSDI claims process even more complex or delayed with tiny mistakes. Put the experienced advocates at The Clarkson Firm to work for you.
Free ConsultationFree Consultation After a Denied Social Security Claim
If you have had a claim denied for Social Security benefits, talk to a law firm that cares. At the Clarkson Firm we have helped thousands of people get the benefits they deserve. It’s not always fast, and it’s not always easy, but we are always happy when we can provide the security and assurance of an approved claim. We are not paid unless we get your claim approved. The consultation is free, and you only pay when we secure benefits on your behalf. Call or email today to learn more.