Every year, roughly two million Americans file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
The bad news is that roughly two-thirds of those applicants will be denied on the first round. The good news, however, is that 53% of those who appeal their denial will eventually receive benefits. The message is clear: If your SSDI claim is denied, you need to file an appeal. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Review your denial letter carefully
Your denial letter may hold a wealth of useful information. In general, it should inform you of your appeal rights and explain the basis for the denial. It will also show you what medical sources were used to inform that decision.
2. Gather additional evidence
Did one or two of your most important medical sources fail to respond to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) requests for information? You may need to gather the records yourself and forward them with your appeal. If the medical information that was used to decide your claim was insufficient, that may be enough to overturn the denial.
3. Keep track of your deadlines
You have just 60 days to file a request for a reconsideration with SSA, or you have to go back to the beginning and start all over. Make sure that you take the appropriate action to file your appeal within that period.
Finally, this is a good time to seek legal assistance. While no rule requires you to get professional help with the appeal on an SSDI denial, experienced guidance can help you navigate numerous pitfalls.