Our Washington DC and Baltimore Social Security Denial Lawyer

Social security benefits are there to help the people who need it most – people with disabilities, those earning a limited income, and who are unable to work. Unfortunately, most disability claims are initially denied. Understanding why claims are denied can help you avoid some common mistakes. Ultimately, your best option may be to work with an experienced Washington DC Social Security denial lawyer, as they will know how to submit the strongest claim possible.

Common Reasons Why Social Security Disability Claims Are Denied

Different sources report that anywhere between 50 and 75% of disability claims are denied. As a result, it’s possible to identify specific reasons why claims are typically denied. Sometimes this is because your income is too high or you’ve been previously denied benefits, but one or more of the following issues may be why. A Baltimore Social Security denial lawyer can help you decide the appropriate next step if your claim for benefits has been denied.

Insufficient Medical Documentation

As any Baltimore Social Security denial lawyer will explain, the most important part of your claim is your medical documentation that demonstrates you are disabled. While this may seem obvious, many people don’t realize how specific their documentation needs to be. As a result, they are shocked when their claim is denied even though they submitted all of the records that they had. Claims can be rejected for insufficient medical documentation for the following reasons:

• Your doctor didn’t clearly indicate how your disability limits your ability to work or how long they expect your disability to last.
• Your medical records are incomplete and important documents are missing.
• Your medical records fail to clearly identify your disability.

One of the ways that a Baltimore Social Security denial lawyer can help is by working with your physician to ensure that your medical records include the information you need for your claim to be approved.

Failure to Follow Medical Treatment

Many claims are denied because people don’t follow the prescribed treatment. When you are disabled, it’s difficult to make it to follow-up appointments or attend physical therapy. You may have had a legitimate reason why you couldn’t follow your prescribed treatment, but the SSA will assume that you weren’t really disabled. As a result, you should make every effort to follow the prescribed treatment. If your claim has already been denied, however, will have the opportunity to explain why you couldn’t follow your treatment during the appeal process.

Failure to Meet the Definition of Disability Because of Income Limits

A common reason for an SSDI application to be denied is that the applicant makes too much money.  The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) defines disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or disability which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”  An important part of this definition is the applicant’s inability to engage in what is referred to as substantial gainful activity. SGA can be achieved when an applicant earns more than the amount of wages the SSA sets as SGA, which changes periodically. For 2020, the SSA has set the monthly SGA for a non-blind individual at $1260 a month and $2110 for a statutorily blind individual. Thus, for example, if applicant Bob Smith who is not blind, works part-time but makes $1,800 a month, he will be considered able to engage in SGA, and his SSDI application will likely be denied. 

You are encouraged to speak with a Washington DC disability denial lawyer before applying for SSDI for an opinion on whether your wages qualify for SSDI. Your attorney can explain the steps to take to qualify for SSDI before applying so you can avoid having your application denied. 

“Failure to Cooperate” Explained by a Baltimore Social Security Denial Lawyer

Another common reason why claims get denied is that applicants fail to cooperate with the SSA. After filing your application, they may request that you submit additional documentation or even submit to an additional medical exam. While these can be difficult challenges when you are disabled, failing to cooperate will almost always result in your claim being denied. A Baltimore social security denial lawyer can help you respond to any follow-up requests so that you can focus on your day-to-day life.

Prior Denials

Finally, sometimes applying and being denied for SSDI several times can contribute to an application examiner’s decision once he or she sees that you have applied for SSDI before and were denied benefits.  That said, it is important to speak with a  Baltimore Social Security denial attorney who can help you apply for your SSDI benefits correctly the first time and help ensure you have the best chance at getting approved. 

Call our Washington DC and Baltimore Social Security Denial Lawyer for Help

At the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin, we help people get the disability benefits they need. From filing the initial application to responding to a denial, we have the knowledge and experience you need. If you’re disabled and need benefits, our Social Security lawyers can help – contact us at 443-839-0818 to schedule a free consultation today. We work with clients throughout Maryland and surrounding states, including Washington DC.