If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim, you have rights. Receiving a rejection notice in the mail can be distressing, but you are entitled to file an appeal. A Toledo SSDI denial lawyer can help you evaluate your options and guide you through the process.
At Schaffer & Associates, we will work tirelessly to help you deal with a denial. Our skilled SSDI attorneys can answer your questions and assist you with every stage of your appeal.
Receiving an SSDI benefits denial can be frustrating, especially if you believe you meet the requirements. The SSA rejects a significant percentage of initial claims, often for avoidable reasons. If you are claiming SSDI in Toledo or the surrounding area, our attorneys can review your denial and advise you on how to correct these issues on appeal.
To receive SSDI benefits, you must have earned sufficient work credits by working long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security. Most applicants need at least 40 credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years prior to becoming disabled to get the maximum available benefits. In general, you can earn four credits per year if you work full-time. If you have not worked recently enough or have not earned enough credits, your claim may be rejected.
In addition to work credits, another basic requirement for SSDI is proof that you are disabled and unable to work. If your condition is not automatically considered a disability by the SSA, you will need to provide medical proof that you are unable to work.
If you have not followed your doctor’s prescribed treatment without a valid reason, the SSA may deny your claim. The SSA might assume that your condition is not as bad as you claim if you do not follow the treatment plan set out for you.
It is not uncommon for the SSA to request additional information during the claims process. This might come in the form of a request for documents, or it may require you to submit to a medical exam. The SSA can deny your claim if you refuse to cooperate.
Receiving a denial of your SSDI claim can be deeply disappointing, but you may still be able to obtain disability benefits. You have the right to appeal, and you can take steps to avoid putting your claim at further risk.
The biggest mistake to make after the SSA denies your claim is missing the deadline to appeal. You have 60 days from the date you were notified of the denial in writing, and you must adhere to this.
You should also not appeal without providing additional evidence or otherwise addressing the reason for the denial. If you resubmit the same claim, you can expect to get the same result.
If the SSA denies your SSDI claim, speaking with local attorneys in Toledo and the surrounding area can help you avoid these mistakes. Our firm is ready to guide you through the appeals process, helping you build a winning appeal and ensuring you meet the filing deadline.
If the SSA denies your SSDI claim, your first step should be to reach out to an attorney. At Schaffer & Associates, we have helped countless people get the benefits they deserve through the appeals process.
Let a Toledo SSDI denial lawyer serve as your advocate. Call as soon as possible to schedule your private consultation.