Are you suffering from a disability that prevents you from working? Would you like to apply for Social Security disability benefits, but are afraid that you may be declined? Social Security disability benefits provide nice safety net should you become medically unable to work. However, not everyone can qualify for benefits. There are certain criteria that you must make and the Social Security Administration will usually do a thorough review to make sure you meet those criteria. If you are denied, you can always appeal. However, that will extend the amount of time before you receive your benefits. Here are three common reasons why benefits are denied. Avoid these and you'll improve your odds of approval.
Social Security doesn't believe your injury is long-term. Social Security disability benefits are meant to be a long-term financial solution. They're not meant to provide financial support for injuries that will heal within a few months. If Social Security perceives your injury to be something that can heal relatively quickly, they could deny your application. For example, broken bones usually won't qualify for benefits because they can heal within a few months. The same is true of torn ligaments. If your injury or illness is a long-term condition, you want to make sure that your documents and application make that fact very clear.
You're not following the prescribed treatment plan. Social Security will often rely on the advice and recommendations of your personal doctor in making an initial decision. Should you appeal or go to court, they may request an independent examination. However, at the early stages, your doctor's report is very important. That's why it's critical that you follow your doctor's recommendations. If your doctor has prescribed physical therapy, medication, or some other treatment, Social Security will want to see that you are following the plan and attempting to get better. If you're not sticking with treatment, Social Security may view your injury as not that serious and they could deny your claim.
Your documents are a mess. Social Security receives a lot of applications for disability benefits. Often, their review staff is stretched when doing the proper analysis on these applications. If your application doesn't have enough information for them to make a decision, they could deny it rather than request more information. Generally, you'll want to include your medical records, along with a personal statement about how the injury or illness impacts your life. You also may want to include statements from family, friends, and former coworkers about how difficult it is for you to work.
If you're not sure what to include in your application, talk to a disability attorney. He or she can help you put your application together.
To learn more, contact a disability attorney like Bruce K Billman.
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