Disability denial is common, so details could be key to a claim

You’ve been paying into Social Security for years, and now you need help from the system. While you could receive the assistance you need, strict requirements mean you might leave the process wanting.

Your chances of getting a denial when you apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) are a hair under half. With such a lofty level of refusals, you’ll need to make sure your claim meets every requirement and you don’t fall prey to some common pitfalls.

Deserving payback

You’ll need to follow the letter of the law closely while going through the process, and it can sometimes be a hard needle to thread:

• Duration: Even if your ailment checks all the boxes, it will still have to be serious enough to warrant support. You may not qualify if your condition won’t last a year, may see significant improvement within that year or there’s no risk of it being terminal.
• Cooperation: You’ll need to follow the guidelines of the Social Security Association (SSA) to make sure they get the information they need, from showing up for medical examinations to being ever-available for clarifications. Getting the proper documents in the hands of the SSA is also paramount, like detailed medical records, identification documents and any forms that need to accompany your application.
• Information: The SSA may deny your claim when you don’t provide enough medical proof to determine your eligibility. You’ll want to show all you can regarding the impact of your illness like when it started, how it affects your work and what you’ll need for treatment.

Don’t leave your SSD up to a coin flip. You may need to go over SSA requirements with a magnifying glass, but it could be how you unlock a successful claim.