The fate of claimants denied for Social Security disability benefits is unfortunate, according to a recent study. The study finds that older Americans denied due to stringent government standards go on to struggle with difficulty earning a living, poor medical care and poor prospects in the job market.
Most applicants are denied because of Social Security's nearly impossible standards for proving disability. Without an appeal, these applicants face dim prospects going forward.
Of the sample group studied, over 50 percent of them eventually received SSDI benefits. However, nearly all of them required an appeal. And most of them had to endure a long wait to get benefits approved. All of the applicants in the study were at least 50 years old. Nearly all of them used a lawyer to get their benefits.
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study confirmed that few individuals who have been denied for disability benefits ever worked again.
So, when you have been denied Social Security disability benefits, what should you do? 4 things:
1. File an appeal and be sure to do it within 60 days.
2. File a second appeal if your first one is denied. (The second appeal, called "Reconsideration," is also commonly denied).
3. Prepare to attend a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is your absolute best chance.
4. Whatever you do, get representation for this hearing. Do not attempt it alone. It's your best chance, don't mess it up.
The government has done one thing right. They have fixed it so you can get good legal representation with no upfront cost, and not even any future cost to you unless you win.
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