Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is rarely simple. Many people spend months gathering records only to see their claim rejected. In fact, most applicants face denial at least once before securing benefits. Recognizing the signs that you will be denied for disability can help you avoid mistakes and prepare for a possible appeal.
At The Cottrell Law Office, we know how discouraging a denial can feel. For more than 32 years, Wesley Cottrell has guided clients across Arkansas and Missouri through the disability process, helping them understand why claims fail and how to strengthen an appeal.
For a free consultation and to speak with a representative, reach out to us online. We are here to assist you.
Why Are Most Disability Claims Denied?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict rules for determining eligibility. Medical conditions must be well documented, and applicants must show how those conditions prevent work. If evidence is missing or the SSA believes you can still perform a job, benefits are often denied.
Understanding why this happens can help you submit a stronger application or appeal.
Common Reasons That Claims for Disability Benefits from Social Security Are Denied
Many people wonder, “Why do most people get denied for disability?” The following are some of the most frequent reasons the SSA rejects claims.
1. Insufficient Medical Evidence
In many cases, claims for disability are denied because the medical record does not show enough proof of limitations. If your files are incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent, the SSA may assume you can still work.
Keeping regular appointments, following treatment plans, and providing thorough documentation from your doctors are critical to building a strong record.
2. Earning Too Much Income
To qualify for SSDI or SSI, you must show that your disability prevents substantial work. If your income is above the SSA’s limit, you may be denied regardless of your health condition.
Applicants who continue working while applying sometimes face denial because the SSA sees ongoing wages as evidence of ability to work.
3. Not Following Prescribed Treatment
The SSA expects claimants to follow medical advice, including taking medications, attending therapy, or undergoing recommended procedures. Ignoring treatment without a valid reason may cause the agency to conclude that your condition is not disabling.
If financial hardship makes treatment impossible, document that fact. Lack of insurance or inability to pay may explain why care was not followed.
4. Previous Denials Without New Evidence
Submitting the same information after being denied rarely succeeds. If your social security denied claim is simply refiled, the SSA may reject it again.
Appealing with new medical evidence or updated records is usually a better approach. Appeals also give you the chance to present your case to an administrative law judge.
5. Short or Incomplete Work History
SSDI eligibility depends on work credits. Applicants without enough recent work may not qualify. This problem often affects younger workers who have not had time to build up sufficient credits.
For those who cannot qualify for SSDI, SSI may be an option since it is based on financial need rather than work history.
6. Belief You Can Perform Other Work
The SSA may deny a claim if it decides you can do a different type of job, even if you cannot return to your previous work. For example, someone who can no longer do heavy labor may still be denied if the SSA believes they could perform light office duties.
In these cases, medical specialists and vocational experts can provide evidence to challenge the SSA’s assumptions.
What to Do If Your Claim for Disability Is Denied
If your claim is denied, do not assume the process is over. In both Arkansas and Missouri, you have the right to appeal. Appeals often succeed when applicants submit new evidence, correct errors, or explain how their condition has worsened.
Strict time limits apply, so act quickly. Missing a deadline can prevent you from continuing your claim.
How The Cottrell Law Office Can Help
Navigating the disability process is stressful, especially when you cannot work and financial pressure grows. At The Cottrell Law Office, we assist clients by:
- Gathering medical records and employment history,
- Meeting SSA deadlines,
- Presenting cases at hearings, and
- Challenging unfair denials.
We understand how much is at stake when you are unable to earn an income. Our firm is committed to giving you the personal attention and zealous representation you deserve.
Get Help with Your Disability Denial
Learning the signs that you will be denied for disability can help you strengthen your claim and prepare for appeal. If you have already been denied, you do not have to face the process alone.
Contact us online for a free consultation. With decades of experience representing clients throughout Arkansas and Missouri, we are ready to review your case, explain your options, and fight for the benefits you need.
Wesley Cottrell
Wes Cottrell earned his B.A. from Pittsburg State University in 1981 and his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1985. He was admitted to practice law in Kansas in 1986, in Missouri in 1987, in Arkansas in 1989, and Oklahoma in 1993. He is licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, eastern Arkansas, western Arkansas, and western Missouri. He was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Crawford County, Kansas from 1987-1989.
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