Don't Lose Hope If Your SSDI Application Is Denied

It can be incredibly frustrating for a person suffering from a disabling condition to navigate the system for applying for Social Security disability benefits. Between all the paperwork that needs to be completed and the medical evidence that must be presented, there are many hoops a person needs to jump through in order to secure these benefits.

Because of all the work that goes into applying for SSDI, and because of how crucial these benefits are, it can be extremely disappointing to learn that the Social Security Administration has denied your application. Before you give up or lose hope, though, there are some important things to understand.

You are not alone

Unfortunately, millions of people have been in the same situation. In fact, according to this article on disability benefit claims, roughly 66 percent of all applications are initially denied.

Denied applications don't mean you don't qualify

A claim may be denied for a number of reasons. There may be suspicious information on the application, missing medical records or inaccurate personal data. While these and other reasons could potentially be cleared up quite easily with a little investigation, SSA agents have such a massive backlog of applications that they typically do not have the time to clear up what could be a very minor mistake.

You can file an appeal

Whatever the reasons may be for your denied claim, which should be explained in a letter from the SSA, understand that it is not the final say. You have options to file an appeal if you disagree with their decision. There are different levels of the appeals process, so it can be important to consult an attorney rather than try to navigate the system alone.

Disability benefits are critical to disabled workers and their families who depend on them, so do not give up if your claim is initially denied. You could still qualify for benefits, but you may need to take some additional steps to secure them.