If you have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and received a denial, you might feel discouraged. However, a denial is not necessarily the end of the story for many applicants.
Launching an appeal offers several benefits and may increase your chances of receiving the assistance you need.
New evidence
When you appeal a denial, you have the opportunity to submit new evidence to support your claim. This could include medical records, doctor’s statements or testimonies from friends and family. By presenting this additional evidence, you provide a more comprehensive picture of your disability and how it affects your ability to work.
Appealing a denial also allows you to correct any errors or misunderstandings that may have occurred during the initial review of your claim. Whether it is clarifying medical information, addressing inconsistencies in your application or providing additional documentation, appealing allows you to set the record straight and ensure your case is properly evaluated.
A different examiner
During the appeal process, your case is by a different examiner than the one who initially denied your claim. This fresh perspective increases the likelihood of a fair evaluation of your disability and its impact on your ability to work. A different examiner may notice overlooked details or considerations.
Potential approval
Of course, the most significant benefit of appealing an SSDI denial is the potential for approval of your benefits. Many individuals who are initially denied SSDI benefits are ultimately successful in their appeals. By persisting through the appeals process, you increase your chances of securing the financial support you need to cope with your disability and maintain your quality of life.
Retroactive benefits
A successful appeal can also result in the payment of retroactive benefits. This means that if you were initially denied but later approved on appeal, you may receive a lump sum payment representing the benefits you missed out on during the waiting period. These retroactive benefits can provide important financial support to help you manage expenses incurred while waiting for your claim approval. Therefore, appealing a denial not only offers the possibility of ongoing benefits but also the potential for a significant sum of retroactive payments to alleviate financial strain.
If you have received an SSDI denial, do not lose hope. Instead, consider appealing to pursue the assistance you deserve.