The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies most initial disability claims, many times because their vetting process does not deem the applicant disabled and deserving of benefits. In some situations, however, the SSA will deny a claim due a preventable mistake. You can maximize your chances of a successful claim by avoiding these common Social Security Disability (SSD) application mistakes.
- Lack of medical documentation: The SSA needs to see documented evidence of your disability before approving your claim. Make sure to keep a list of the doctors that have treated you, the diagnoses you have been given, mediations you are on and other information.
- Incomplete employment information: In order to qualify for SSD benefits, you must have worked long enough to have paid into the system. To meet this requirement, you must have a comprehensive list of your employment history, including start and finish dates.
- Inaccurate financial information: The income you report on your application must match your official tax records such as W-2 forms. If you don’t have your own copies of these records, you can request them from former employers.
- Typos: You must input several numbers and codes in your application, including your Social Security number, your employers’ ID numbers and standard information such as your birth date. Simple typos and mistakes can get your application rejected before anyone even has a chance to review it.
The SSD application process may seem complicated, but you don’t have to face it alone. By working with an experienced SSD lawyer, you can rest assured that preventable mistakes will be limited to the greatest possible extent.
If your application has been denied, do not despair. The overwhelming majority of successful claims are won during the SSD appeals process.