Approximately 65% of social security disability (SSDI) applications are denied the first time. Most of the time, it is for medical reasons. Luckily, this decision from the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be appealed. Often with the help of a lawyer, almost 50% of applications that were initially denied can ultimately end up with a favorable outcome.
There are several reasons outside of medical why a disability application may have been denied. One of them is called a technical denial. A technical denial comes into play when there is a non-medical reason the application was denied. The SSA estimates nearly half of SSDI and a quarter of social security income (SSI) applications receive a technical denial.
What is a Social Security Disability Technical Denial?
There are a plethora of reasons that someone might receive a technical denial from the SSA. Here is a look at some of the most common.
You Earn Too Much
This is one of the most frequent reasons that a social security disability claim is denied. If your earnings are above the substantial gainful activity limit, you will be denied benefits for both SSDI and SSI claims.
You Are Already Receiving Benefits
If you are already receiving SSDI or SSI benefits and you want to increase what you are currently getting, your application will be denied. SSDI monthly benefit payments are directly related to your past earnings, so the amount you are currently receiving is what you will continue to receive. SSI benefits are a set amount and also unlikely to increase unless your situation changes.
The SSA Can’t Locate You
If the Social Security Administration attempts to contact you after you file your claim and is unable to do so, it will eventually give up. If the contact time limit is reached, your claim will be denied.
You Didn’t Work Long Enough
Given that SSDI monthly benefits payments are directly related to the amount that you worked and paid into the system, if you have a very thin work history, you could be denied. The minimum amount of years that you need to have worked in order to be eligible for benefits depends on your age. At age 50, for example, you would have had to have worked at least seven years in order to be eligible for benefits.
You Haven’t Worked Recently Enough
If you have been out of work for a significant period, you may receive a technical denial. Your coverage will lapse on a date known as the date last insured. In general, you need to have worked five out of the last 10 years to be eligible for SSDI benefits. If you have worked your entire life and only missed the last five years, you may be able to receive benefits if you can show proof that you had coverage for a certain number of years.
Appealing a Social Security Disability Technical Denial
Certain technical SSDI benefits denials cannot be appealed, because there is no way for you to become eligible. There is, however, the possibility that an error was made in the evaluation of your situation. Given this, it is possible to appeal a social security disability technical denial. If you need help with a denial, contact the social security disability experts at Tabak Law by calling 800-245-1430.