Why was my Disability Claim Denied?

Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not have a program for short-term disability benefits. Therefore, the only option for people in this state who are unable to work for a year or longer due to a medical condition is to apply for federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Social Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

When people tackle this process on their own without an attorney, however, they can come across many pitfalls and barriers to actually be approved for benefits. In fact, only about 30-35% of initial applications for disability claims are approved. That means that a whopping 70% of the time, the initial application is denied. Accordingly, a good disability attorney is important. If you have filed a claim and it has been denied, your best bet is to hire a denial of a disability attorney in Jacksonville.

In this article, we will discuss the issues surrounding why a denial might be denied by the SSA. If, after reading this article, you have more questions about your own circumstances, then the denial of disability attorneys in Jacksonville at RITE Law are here to help. 

At RITE Law, we have a group of denial of disability attorneys in Jacksonville who have your best interests at heart, and who have the training and resources to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our number is (904) 500-RITE or you can fill out our contact form online. We provide a free case evaluation , so call today.

4 Reasons Why a Disability Claim Might Be Denied

If you apply for disability benefits and the benefits are initially denied, then you will receive a denial letter informing you of the reasons the SSA denied your application for either SSI or SSDI. If you get one of these letters, do not despair . You have options, and a denial of a disability attorney in Jacksonville can help you with those options.

That said, let’s take a look at four reasons why your claim may have been denied.

1. Denied because of paperwork issues

You can file disability claims online, in person, or over the telephone. Whichever way you choose to file, it is important to keep all your information together. You should provide not only the correct and complete information for your claim to the SSA but also the best information to support your disability claim . How do you know what the best information is? That is where a denial of a disability attorney in Jacksonville comes in.

Commonly, the SSA will deny claims because you may not have provided all the information requested, you may have made an error when filling out the forms, or you may not have included the required medical history or proof of disability. 

2. Failure to appear for a designated medical exam, or the exam doesn’t go well

The SSA may schedule a medical exam for you once you have submitted your application. It is important to attend that examination because failure to do so can result in a denial of benefits . It is also important that the examiner make the proper disability determination. There is the chance that the examiner will determine that your disability isn’t severe enough to keep you from working longer than a year, or that you are only partially disabled. 

If that happens, you should consider getting the help of an attorney. With that assistance, you can make sure that any exam is completed in a timely manner, and that the examiner has the best information to determine if you meet the disability requirements. Additionally, an attorney might be helpful to ensure that your doctor knows what medical documentation is necessary to fully support your disability claim.

3. Too much income

During the application process, you will have to provide income and asset information to the SSA. Upon reviewing your application, the SSA may make the determination that your income is too high, or that you have too many assets, to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Income (SSI). 

If you are denied disability benefits for those reasons, you may want a second opinion on precisely what income the SSA used when making their determination. You also may want to verify that your income and asset disclosure was accurate on your benefits application. Again, these are the types of answers a denial of a disability attorney in Jacksonville can provide for you. You don’t want to go without benefits just because of an accounting mistake on your part.

4. Failure to prove inability to work 

In order to obtain disability benefits, the SSA must determine that you are: 

1. Unable to work in your previous job;
2. Unable to work at a job that you had within the last 15 years; or
3. Unable to work at a job for which you are qualified.

To make that showing, you need to provide a complete job and education history. The SSA may decide that you have a disability, but that your disability does not prevent you from working in your field or keep you from getting a job that you are qualified to do. Thus, a denial of a disability attorney in Jacksonville can help you prove to the SSA that you are unable to work in a position you are qualified for with your level of disability.

In sum, it can be frustrating to have a disability application denied. Having an experienced disability attorney in your corner might help you change the SSA’s decision from a denial to an approval.

Contact the Disability Attorneys at RITE Law to Get the Help You Need

At RITE Law, we started the firm for one reason – to help those in Florida and elsewhere have the resources of a firm that was “big enough to fight but small enough to care.” At Rudolph, Israel, Tucker & Ellis (RITE law) , we have the resources and experience to go to trial when it is necessary, and we have the wisdom to advise you appropriately. 

Expect lots of attention, passionate representation, and a healthy disdain for big insurance companies. We believe that leads to the best result possible. Unlike larger firms, your case isn’t handed to a paralegal or assistant to do the heavy lifting. The attorney you meet initially is the one who will be by your side every step of the way. 

We also take pride in creating an atmosphere where every client is treated like family. Family members stick up for one another no matter what. You should expect nothing less from the RITE Law denial of disability attorneys in Jacksonville.

Without help from the RITE team, making your own disability claims can be very difficult. When you turn to our firm, we spring into action, making sure that every detail of your claim is addressed. Call us for help. Our number is (904) 500-RITE or you can fill out our contact form online. We provide a free case evaluation , so feel free to call us today.

The information in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. You should not make a decision whether or not to contact an attorney based upon the information in this blog post. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. If you require legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.