The pursuit of disability benefits is particularly important for people who are unable to work. You may find yourself in this group – left unable to earn a living because of a physical or mental limitation. Whether you suffered a serious injury, have debilitating depression or are sick with a terminal disease, you know how important it is to get financial help when you cannot work.
The purpose of disability benefits through the Social Security Administration is to provide help for people who suffer from specific types of disabilities. In order to qualify, you must have an illness that the SSA considers genuinely disabling, and you expect this condition to last for at least 12 months or for the rest of your life. If you applied but were not successful, this can be devastating.
It’s not the end of the road
A denied claim can certainly feel like a setback, but it is not the end of the road for you. After you determine why the SSA denied your claim, you can then move forward with an appeal. Some of the reasons the SSA may deny a claim include the following:
- It is not clear that your condition will last for at least 12 months or that it prevents you from working in some capacity.
- It is possible your condition is the result of drug use or alcohol abuse.
- The SSA believes that you did not follow doctor’s orders regarding your treatment for your condition.
- There were mistakes with your claim, or you did not follow application directions.
- You did not include enough documentation to validate your claim.
It can be frustrating to believe that you have a valid disability and then learn that you were not successful in your quest for benefits. Once you have identified why the claim came back denied, you can then move forward with the next steps in the appeals process.
Preparing your appeal
If you plan to appeal a denied claim, you can include additional documentation and other information that may benefit your case. The time period to file an appeal is short, and you would be wise to act immediately if you want to continue your fight for disability benefits through the SSA.
Whether you need to appeal or you are filing an initial claim, you will find significant benefit in working with an experienced Michigan attorney who can help you understand eligibility requirements and the most beneficial way to proceed.