Steps to Take When You Get a Denial Notice from the Social Security Disabilities Office

28 October 2020
 Categories: Law, Blog

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Most people apply for SSDI benefits when they have injuries and disabilities that have incapacitated them. And they are no longer able to work productively and support themselves or their families. Therefore, when you make an application, and the help is denied, life can become very complicated. However, few people realize that most of the times, the denial is not a reflection of the illegitimacy of their claim. In most cases, it is small and avoidable mistakes people make when filling the forms that lead to denials.

Here are the steps you can take to resolve your case after you receive a letter of denial. 

1. Hire a Competent Lawyer

You should never approach issues to do with disability without the help of a competent lawyer. If you already made the first application on your own and ended up in denial, it is time to lawyer up. The lawyer is better positioned to understand the reason behind the denial. They will also know the right channels that you can use to appeal the decision to deny you the benefits.

When you get a competent lawyer, share all documents regarding your disability, the healthcare bills you have accumulated, and letters from the doctors. They will scrutinize the documents and pinpoint where the problem could have occurred. 

2. Gather the Right Medical Evidence

It is crucial to understand that denial of benefits does not mean that you are not disabled; it simply means that you could not provide enough medical evidence to support your claim. Sometimes, the problem is not even medical evidence but contradicting information in the files. If there are missing records, you should work on getting them before trying to appeal the decision. The lawyer will help you get the right evidence and train you on how to express yourself at the hearing to get a suitable settlement.

3. Appeal the Decision

The federal government allows you to appeal an SSDI denial if you believe that it was issued inconsistently. The common appeal types include a reconsideration, administrative law judge hearing, appearing before the appeals council, and litigation in a court of law. Disability attorneys are well-versed with all these appeal types. They will help you pick the route that works best for your situation.

These are steps you can easily take and get a favorable ruling when you have a competent lawyer working with you. Take time and choose a competent social security disability law expert for the best results.