Social Security Disability FAQ
Yes. The Social Security Administration denies more initial applications for benefits than it approves, including those from people who are rightfully owed benefits. If you’re thinking about filing for SSD or SSI, or if you’ve already had your claim denied, consider hiring an experienced attorney to give you the best chance of getting benefits.
Two common reasons for Social Security Disability claim denials include:
- Inadequate medical documentation. Filing a successful SSD claim requires submitting medical records that demonstrate the nature, extent, and effects of your injury or disability. To collect benefits under SSD, these records can help prove that your injury or disability is severe enough that it will last at least a year. If you don’t have medical records to support your claim, it will almost certainly be denied.
- Inadequate justification for not following a prescribed therapy plan. The SSA can deny benefits to individuals who fail to follow their doctors’ prescribed therapy plans. While some exceptions apply (such as not having the money you need to pay for treatment), it’s important to adequately explain any deviation from your prescribed therapy in order to avoid a wrongful denial.
As a general rule, most claimants who follow all of the necessary procedures and file all of the correct documentation typically get an answer within approximately three to five months. Once the SSA approves your application, you can start receiving payments in as little as 30 days.
No. If the SSA denies your claim, you can still seek to collect the benefits you’re entitled to by filing a formal appeal.
If your SSD claim is denied, you have 60 days from the date of denial to file your appeal. This is a strict deadline. The sooner you file your appeal, the sooner your chances of collecting the benefits you deserve. Even if you lose your claim on appeal, you can still ask for another review. You have multiple opportunities to collect benefits, and the key to collecting maximum benefits as quickly as possible is to have the right to legal representation on your side.
When you choose Bottaro Law, you won’t pay any fees upfront. In fact, you won’t pay anything during your claim either. We handle Social Security claims on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you only pay if we help you secure government benefits. We also guarantee that your legal fees will not be higher than your benefits award.
You can review the Social Security Administration’s website. You can also contact Bottaro Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us anytime at (401) 777-7777 for a free case review.
