Top four reasons why you are denied of Social Security Disability benefits

Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) aims to provide financial assistance to individuals who can no longer work due to a lingering medical or physical condition. Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as an impairment that hinders one or more basic life functions.

Social Security disability benefit insurance also serves as an alternative to Social Security retirement benefit. When a worker can no longer reach the full retirement age due to illness or disability, SSDI serves as an equivalent financial aid.

However, not all SSDI claims are approved. Most claimants are denied at the initial stages of their claims.

There are reasons why SSA rejects such claims. These include the following:

1. The claimant exceeds the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. If you are still earning beyond $1000 a month for the year 2010, you do not qualify for SSDI. If you have declared such an amount, you have also said that you have earning capacity to sustain yourself. SSA only approves claims that show impairment as the cause of inability to perform alternative job.

You can file reconsideration and clarify how your impairment limits your ability to resume working. You can also file an appeal to assert your legal rights.

2. There are inconsistencies in your Work History Report. If the SSA has called your former employer and saw discrepancies on what you have written, that’s the reason for your denial letter.

Include in your reconsideration letter further clarifications on your Work History Report.

3. You fail to follow the prescribed medical treatment of your physician.  If you have failed to undergo prescribed physical therapy, further surgery, or medical treatment; the SSA will reject your claim.

You can write in the reconsideration letter/ appeal your valid reasons for not undergoing such medical treatment. Valid reasons include:

• You have insufficient financial resources to pay for the medical treatment
• You have a psychological illness that hinder you from undergoing such surgery
• Your religious belief contradicts such type of surgery or physical therapy

4. You fail to cooperate with the Social Security Administration personnel. The SSA might have been contacting you concerning your claim, yet you have moved to another residence.

Include in your letter the reasons why you have failed to communicate with your disability determiner.

You may hire a Social Security Disability lawyer in Los Angeles to help you clarify facts in your documents and submit additional medical records to substantiate your appeal.