How To Increase Your Chances Of Your Initial SSDI Benefits Application Being Approved
Posted on: 20 May 2016
Filing for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits is a complicated process. The review of these applications is rigorous and just a minor mistake can cause it to be denied. Then you are faced with an even more complicated appeals process to deal with. Here is how to make sure that your initial application has a good chance of being approved.
Report Your Income Correctly
There is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive SSDI benefits. If your reported income is higher than the maximum amount allowed, your application will be denied. Read the income requirements carefully. For example, money you receive when doing contract labor for a landscaping service counts as income. Monetary gifts you receive from friends and family does not count as income.
Estimate the Duration of Your Disability Properly
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, your disability must keep you away from work for at least one year. If you can be back on the job in less than one year, your application will be rejected. You'll need to make sure that your doctors confirm your disability duration and don't suggest that you could be healed sooner. The notes of all of the healthcare providers you've seen need to clearly state that you'll be unable to work for at least a year to be eligible for benefits.
Include All Relevant Medical History
If you leave out any medical treatments that you've had because you don't see the relevance, the social security review board can reject your application. The reviewers may find that those treatments are related to your benefits claim and should've been included. For example, if you were in an auto accident which left you unable to work, the review board may be interested in the fact that you were being treated by your doctor for allergies. Some prescription allergy medication can make you sleepy and unsafe to drive. If you left that out of your application, it could be denied.
Be Clear About Your Treatment Decisions
The reviewers will want to see that you were compliant with all attempts by your doctor to heal your disability. If there is any indication that you didn't follow up with a specific treatment recommendation, the application can be rejected. If a particular treatment was too expensive or the treatment facility was hard to get to, make sure that this is clearly documented with your application. Also get your doctor to make a note as to why your couldn't do the treatment.
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