Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits protect people who can no longer work. Professionals who have contributed enough to Social Security through payroll withholdings may be eligible for SSDI benefits when medical challenges force them to stop working.
People with conditions severe enough to prevent them from maintaining gainful employment might be eligible for SSDI benefits. However, many applicants who believe they should qualify get rejected by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Small mistakes, such as relying too much on a diagnosis instead of providing significant medical documentation, can lead to a rejected SSDI application. There are appeals available to those who need benefits but get denied by the SSA initially. Is the pursuit of an appeal worthwhile for an SSDI applicant?
Appeals increase approval rates
When looking at the outcome of SSDI applications, the initial approval rate is relatively low. An average of 21%, or roughly one in five, applicants receives approval when they initially apply. However, the final approval rate is an average of 31%. Approximately 10% of applicants receive benefits as part of an appeal.
The reconsideration stage has an average 2% success rate for applicants. Another 8% of applicants, on average, secure benefits through a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. For people with mistakes regarding paperwork or insufficient medical documentation, an appeal can help them remedy those issues.
Appeals can lead to backdated benefits
Applicants who recognize that they made significant mistakes on their initial paperwork or failed to provide enough medical evidence might consider simply reapplying. Doing so might seem like a faster solution, but it is not necessarily the best option available.
Applicants who successfully appeal may receive approval for not just monthly benefits but also backdated benefits. They can receive a lump-sum payment for the benefits they should have received if the SSA had made the right determination when they initially applied.
Appeals can make a major difference for people struggling with a sudden loss of income and the various financial challenges that accompany debilitating medical issues. Securing support when applying for SSDI benefits or appealing an initial decision can be helpful. Applicants with legal assistance can focus on addressing their practical needs while a professional oversees the bureaucratic SSDI application or appeals process.