Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available to many working adults. However, most people never need to apply for SSDI benefits because they remain healthy prior to retirement. Those who do apply do not necessarily have any guarantee of success.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects more applicants than it approves every year. Small mistakes on an application can lead to SSA employees determining that the applicant is ineligible for benefits. Technical issues with paperwork and insufficient medical documentation are among the top reasons that people who think they might qualify for SSDI do not.
Thankfully, the SSA has a very thorough appeal process in place. There are multiple different types of appeals available for those seeking SSDI benefits. Is appealing a worthwhile endeavor when looking at the statistical outcome of applications?
Many people secure benefits through appeals
The SSA provides statistical information about claims. Government transparency rules mandate the disclosure of information about overall approval rates and even what conditions applicants reported when applying for benefits. When looking at data based on applications submitted between 2010 and 2019, it becomes quite clear that most people don’t get benefits when they apply.
According to the information released by the SSA, only 21% of applicants on average receive approval when they initially apply. Many of those who do not receive approval initially do pursue an appeal. According to average rates across the 10 years evaluated, approximately one out of 10 applicants gets their benefits during the appeals process.
The earliest form of appeal is an internal reconsideration. Approximately 2% of applicants obtain benefits through the reconsideration process. The next step after that is a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Roughly 8% of SSDI applicants get their benefits through the hearing. There are additional appeal stages available, although they have statistically irrelevant approval rates because they are far less common than reconsiderations and hearings.
Not only does an appeal increase someone’s chances of getting benefits, but it can also increase what they receive. Those approved during the appeals stage can obtain backdated benefits in a lump sum that may cover multiple months of benefits.
Particularly when applicants did not have help during their initial application, consulting with an attorney can help people improve their chances of obtaining SSDI benefits. The appeals process can take months to complete but is often beneficial for those who cannot work.
