8 Reasons You May Be Denied Social Security Benefits

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry L. Cochran

Don’t be surprised if SSA denied your first application for disability benefits; it actually happens quite a lot. But most of the time, it’s not about your disability itself. It’s about the paperwork.

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we work every day with folks who have been denied and have to wait for an appeal. This article breaks down the most common reasons for social security disability denial and what to do now.

Understanding Why Social Security Benefits May Be Denied

The SSA has strict rules to evaluate disability claims. They look at your medical records, your work history, and how able you are to perform daily tasks. They’ll turn you down for anything that doesn’t meet their standards.

Most of the time, you can still appeal, but you’ve got to get it right this time. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help determine why things were denied and what you can do differently to get approved for benefits.

Common Reasons for SSDI Denial

Here are the most common SSDI denial reasons we see in our practice.

Insufficient Medical Evidence

The SSA requires detailed medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working. If your doctor’s notes aren’t specific enough or don’t describe how limiting your symptoms are, the SSA won’t approve.

Some doctors write things like “patient reports pain” on your chart, and that’s not enough. We’ll help you get updated records where your doctor explains how that pain really affects your abilities: “Couldn’t lift more than ten pounds,” “Couldn’t sit for more than twenty minutes,” “Needed to lie down several times during the day,” etc.

Filing Errors or Missing Information

The tiniest mistake can mess up your claim. Missing signatures. Incomplete forms. Wrong dates. The SSA won’t call you for clarification; they’ll just turn you down.

The Social Security Administration states that a lot of claims get denied because of these types of administrative errors. Luckily, they’re also the easiest to fix with proper legal help from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

Recent Work Activity or Earnings

If your earnings are above the substantial gainful activity threshold, the SSA assumes you worked substantially, which disqualifies you from SSDI benefits, even if you’ve got a severe medical condition.

Even part-time work can cause issues if the SSA thinks you’re capable of maintaining employment.

Failure to Meet Disability Criteria

The SSA has a list of impairments that automatically get you qualified, but if your condition’s not on that list, you’ve got to prove your limitations are equivalent to a listed impairment.

A lot of denied Social Security benefits happen because the applicant’s condition doesn’t fit neatly into SSA categories. They’ll often ask for extra documentation for things like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mental health conditions.

Late Applications or Deadlines

Timing’s another issue. You have to file your application within the proper timeframe to stay eligible; otherwise, you lose months of back pay.

You’ve got 60 days from the date of your denial letter to file for an appeal for social security benefits. If you miss the deadline, you’ve got to start all over.

Inconsistent Statements

The SSA compares your application, your medical records, and any statements you make during evaluations. Any contradiction will get you denied.

If you say you can’t walk more than a block, but your social media shows you doing physical activity, the SSA will question your credibility. Consistency matters in every part of your claim at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

Lack of Proper Documentation

You need more than just medical records as documentation. Even if you’ve got rock-solid records, the SSA wants to see employer statements, pharmacy records, and observations from others, like family members or caregivers.

Appeal Process and Legal Representation

There are four levels to the appeals process: Reconsideration, followed by a hearing with a judge, then an Appeals Council review, and finally a federal court. According to SSA hearing statistics, most successful appeals happen at the hearing stage.

An administrative law judge reviews your case in person, and you can present new evidence. Your success rates are a lot higher at this point if you’ve got legal representation from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

How a Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help

A social security disability lawyer in Michigan knows what the SSA’s looking for. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. reviews your denial letter to identify what went wrong and build you a stronger case.

We get additional medical evidence and work with your doctors to get detailed reports. Plus, we get you ready for hearings and cross-examine the SSA’s medical experts.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., works on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

A disability benefits attorney can also help you understand how much you’re entitled to receive. We calculate your potential benefits and fight to maximize your recovery.

Our team has helped countless Michigan residents get the disability benefits they deserve. We’ve got a deep understanding of the appeals process.

Take Action After a Denial

Getting denied Social Security benefits doesn’t mean your case is over. It just means you need a better strategy with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

Review the denial letter carefully and look for the specific reasons the SSA says it denied your initial claim. Then talk to a lawyer who handles disability cases. We offer free consultations at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

Contact Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for a free consult. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call us at 1-866-MICH-LAW or contact us online to schedule your free case eval. We’re available 24/7.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.