Could your Social Security disability claim be denied?

If you file a Social Security disability claim, you hope that you begin to receive benefits in the immediate future. Unfortunately, the exact opposite may happen. You could receive a denial letter, thus forcing you to learn more about your legal rights and the next steps to take.

Even though a Social Security disability claim denial is frustrating, it doesn’t mean you’ll never receive benefits in the future. To better understand your situation, you should first determine the reason for your denial. Here are some of the most common:

• You earn too much money
• Your disability is associated with some form of alcohol or drug abuse
• Your disability is not expected to last for more than one year
• You did not follow the treatment plan prescribed by your medical team
• The Social Security Administration is unable to get in touch with you
• You did not follow the directions on the application
• You did not provide sufficient medical treatment records
• Your disability is related to a criminal conviction

Some of these matters are easier to appeal than others. For example, if you did not follow the directions on the application, you may be able to provide additional information with the hope of receiving an approval.

Conversely, if you made a mistake such as not following the direction of your doctor, winning your appeal will be more difficult.

If your Social Security disability claim is denied, don’t turn your back just yet. Instead, learn why this happened and the steps you can take to appeal the decision. You have legal rights, and it’s important that you protect them.