Most people have a strong work ethic. They derive a sense of pride from maintaining a career and supporting their families through their employment. They intend to work until they are old enough to retire. Many people continue working part-time or as consultants even after they retire.
Unfortunately, not everyone who aspires to work hard and take care of their families achieves that goal. Individuals may develop debilitating medical issues that prevent them from working. For those without private disability insurance, job loss usually results in a total loss of income.
When that happens, people generally turn to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Those who have maintained gainful employment for years may be eligible for regular payments. Unfortunately, denied applications are common. Those who are not successful initially may need to appeal.
There are multiple stages of SSDI benefits appeals
People make mistakes. Bias, oversights and paperwork issues can result in qualified applicants getting denied benefits. To ensure the fairest situation possible, the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows for multiple stages of appeals.
The first stage is reconsideration. Applicants can correct issues with their paperwork and submit additional medical records to the SSA. If reconsideration is not successful, then the applicant can request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
At the hearing, they have an opportunity to present medical evidence. They can also bring in professionals and witnesses to testify about their condition. There is also an appeals council if a hearing is not successful. People can even file federal lawsuits in some cases.
Knowing how to respond to an SSDI benefits denial makes the process less intimidating. Many applicants eventually get benefits through an appeal. Applicants can secure support when they initially apply or when they appeal to improve their chances of success.