Social Security disability benefits allow individuals to receive financial support when they suffer an injury or illness that renders them unable to work. In order to collect SSDI benefits, you must have been part of the American workforce and contributed a portion of your paycheck to Social Security through the wages you earned. There are several criteria you must meet to qualify for SSDI benefits, so it’s important to enlist the guidance of a highly qualified and caring Spokane SSDI attorney to understand these eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, senior citizens may face automatic SSDI denials for certain medical conditions or other reasons—which can be confusing and frustrating for many individuals. Let’s take a look at some reasons behind automatic SSDI denials and how to appeal a disability claim denial in Washington state.
Understanding Automatic SSDI Claim Denials
There are certain factors that allow the Social Security Administration (SSA) to “automatically” deny your claim, meaning that it will issue a denial without exploring or considering other factors alongside any disqualifiers. Primarily, SSDI benefits only apply to injuries and illnesses that prevent you from working for at least a year or that will likely cause death. Common reasons that the SSA may reject an SSDI claim (even though it is legitimate) include a lack of medical evidence, previous denials, too much earnings, failure to follow treatment recommendations, or failure to cooperate with the SSA’s request for additional information. Any of these factors increase the likelihood that the claim will be denied without further investigation or consideration from the SSA. However, it’s essential to recognize that just because your claim is denied does not mean you cannot appeal the denial to secure the benefits you need and deserve.
How to Appeal Social Security Disability Denial
Learning that your SSDI claim has been denied can be disappointing and concerning. So, how do you appeal a Social Security Disability denial? The first step should be to enlist the support and expertise of a trusted and understanding Spokane SSDI lawyer who can assess the details of your situation and identify the most strategic path forward. When you meet with your attorney, you can determine how to proceed with the SSDI appeals process. Depending on the specific circumstances of your claim, you may decide to include more evidence to strengthen your claim or provide additional documentation to support your request for the financial benefits you need. Moreover, your attorney can help you understand the steps of the SSDI appeals process so you can anticipate how long it may take for the claim to move through the formal appeals process. If you are wondering how to appeal an SSDI denial, reach out to a dedicated SSDI attorney at your earliest convenience to develop and implement a strategy that maximizes your chances of obtaining your desired outcome.
If you are wondering how to appeal a denied disability claim in Washington state, the dedicated legal team at Schott Law is here to assist you. Please reach out to our Spokane office today at (509) 328-5789 to get started with a knowledgeable and caring SSDI attorney.
