If your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application is denied, you should not give up. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows applicants to challenge their decision. However, you may need to be more careful this time to increase your approval chances.
The following are three mistakes to avoid when appealing a disability denial:
Not appealing
Failing to appeal in the first place is one of the mistakes. Regardless of the details included in your denial notification, you can change the decision. Of course, you may be exhausted from the application and wouldn’t want to go through the process again, but it’s worthwhile to appeal. The administration will reassess your case and may give a new verdict.
Not obtaining more information
The chances are you obtained information about disability benefits during your initial application. However, you may need more details when appealing to make the right moves. What you learned before will be a backbone when appealing, but you need to research the latter in itself.
For instance, asking the administration to reconsider the decision may be the only step you need to go through. You may not need to request a hearing with a judge. Thus, knowing this and more helps you make the right moves.
Not gathering enough evidence
The evidence you sent the administration will be reevaluated when you appeal. However, if you have new evidence, it will help to submit it. For instance, if you have updated medical records, get them from your doctor and submit them. Ensure that you gather and submit enough evidence.
If your initial application for disability benefits is denied, you should consider appealing. It may help to get legal guidance to approach the process with adequate information.