Most Social Security disability claims are denied at the initial application phase and even a higher percentage are denied at the first appeal stage of the process. Most of these claims are denied for a variety of common reasons that claimants should be aware of before applying for benefits to give claimants the best opportunity to be successful with their claim. Below we look at the most common reasons a disability claim is denied.
Technical Denial
A technical denial is a denial based on eligibility criteria that has nothing to do with medical evidence in a case and is sometimes call a “non-medical denial.” A claimant can receive a technical denial for different reasons including too much work-related income or non-work-related income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. A technical denial can also be issued if a claimant has not worked long enough and more recently enough to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Technical denials are typically not appealed unless Social Security has made miscalculations on a claimant’s work history or their income and assets.
Medical Denial
Cases are often denied because Social Security determines that there is not sufficient medical evidence to support a finding of disability. An unfavorable medical decision will typically include language indicating a claimant’s condition is not considered disabling and not severe enough or the condition is severe, but not expected to last at least 12 months as Social Security requires. It is important to send all available medical evidence to the Social Security Administration to help enable them to make an informed decision and to appeal medical denials if you feel your condition is disabling.
