Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide an individual with financial compensation in the event that they cannot work any longer as a result of a disability, but the claims center doesn’t just approve all claims that come into the office. It is notoriously hard to get your claim approved on the first attempt, and oftentimes people elect to give up after this initial denial.
We don’t want you to give up on benefits that you’ve rightfully earned. In today’s blog, we share some tips on how you can increase your likelihood of getting your SSDI claim approved on your first try.
SSDI Initial Claim Denial
As we mentioned in the introduction, it is very common for an individual to have their initial SSDI claim denied. Among other factors, where you file your SSDI claim also appears to affect the likelihood of earning an approval. A recent study took a closer look at initial SSDI claim rate success by state, and they found that a fair amount of claims are denied the first time around. In fact, the study found that SSDI applications in Washington D.C. are only approved roughly 30% of the time on the initial claim, while initial claims in Alaska are approved about 65% of the time. In Minnesota, folks are seeing their initial claims denied more often than not, as initial SSDI claims are approved about 45 percent of the time.
While there is no way to guarantee that your initial SSDI claim will be approved, there are a few things you can do that will greatly increase your likelihood of a successful claim. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
Stay Up To Date On Medical Treatment – Make sure you are seeking regular care for the issue causing your disability. Whether that’s in the form of an annual physical or more frequent medical care, it’s unlikely that you’ll be approved for SSDI if the condition is poorly documented by your medical provider. Keeping your medical records current provides clear evidence of a valid disability claim.
Read The Application Carefully – If you don’t provide all the necessary information on the SSDI application, you leave certain areas blank or you fill out the application incorrectly, the claims office will not hesitate to deny your claim. Confirm addresses and phone numbers of medical providers so that the office can get in contact with your doctor in the event they have questions, and consider connecting with an injury lawyer who has a history of filling out these applications. They’ll be able to ensure that everything is filled out completely and appropriately.
Prompt Follow Up – The process isn’t complete just because you’ve filed your claim. Although you may now be waiting for the claims office to respond, odds are they are going to ask for additional information or records before they will sign off on your claim. They may ask for medical release forms or an independent medical exam, and you can’t just ignore these requests and assume your claim will be processed. Once the office gets back to you, it’s important that you promptly comply with any requests to keep the claims process moving in the right direction. If you don’t provide this additional information, you can expect a denial letter in the mail.
SSDI claims can be a lifeline for people who are too injured to work, but they won’t be easy to win on your own. Follow our advice and consider syncing up with an injury specialist like Dean Margolis who can ensure that you are giving yourself the best chance to win your claim. Whether you need help with the initial claim or overcoming a denial, we want to be a resource for you.
For more information, or for help with a different personal injury or workers’ compensation claim, reach out to Margolis Law Office today at (952) 230-2700.
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