Top Reasons People are Denied Disability
Category: Disability Law
- 22 May 2025
- Posted By WebSiteAdmin
Filing for disability can be a long and arduous process. People file for disability when they are no longer able to earn a viable living and need help. Time is of the essence. Unfortunately, about 3/4 of initial disability claims are denied. In this article we will go over the most common reasons this happens.
1. Does Not Have the Required Work Credits
Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) exists to assist people financially should they become unable to work. This system requires that you have work credits, which simply means you have worked enough hours in the past to qualify. You earn up to 4 credits every year you work, and you need 40 total credits to qualify.
2. Your Condition Isn’t Listed
The SSA has a long list of disabilities which qualify people for disability should they be inflicted with them. Sometimes people have a condition which does not fit neatly into the category list. Working with an attorney can help you figure out this issue.
3. Your Condition Does Not Prevent You from Working Long Enough
The minimum threshold to qualify for this kind of disability is 1 year. This is the minimum which you are (or will be expected to be) out of work and unable to earn a living. Your condition must also keep you from what the SSA calls Substantial Gainful Activity.
4. Your Case is Not Well Documented
To qualify for disability, you must present a case which clearly shows that you have a condition which keeps you from working. There needs to be adequate medical history to prove your case. This means that you must have documentation from every medical professional you have ever seen about your condition.
5. Error on Your Forms
If you make mistakes on your application, it will most likely be denied. The SSA has about 50,000 employees reviewing over 2 million cases per year. Their job is simply to look at the data in front of them and make a qualified decision based on it. If the application is filled out incorrectly or incomplete, this will severely hamper your chances of being approved.
