{"id":353881,"date":"2023-05-25T10:35:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T15:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/basics\/if-you-ve-been-denied-social-security-benefits.html"},"modified":"2023-05-25T10:35:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T15:35:41","slug":"if-you-ve-been-denied-social-security-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/basics\/if-you-ve-been-denied-social-security-benefits.html","title":{"rendered":"If You’ve Been Denied Social Security Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If You've Been Denied Social Security Benefits<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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There is a good chance the Social Security Administration (SSA) will deny your initial application for Social Security disability benefits. After all, the SSA denies the majority of applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, it’s worth considering an appeal. Many appeals result in a favorable decision granting SSDI benefits or SSI benefits.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read the guide below for more information on the SSA’s time-sensitive appeals process for SSI and SSDI applications.<\/p>\n

If you need help appealing denied benefits, speak with a Social Security benefits attorney<\/a> near you. Also, see our main Social Security Disability<\/a>\u00a0index for more articles about the SSA’s disability benefits programs.<\/p>\n

Why Were You Denied Social Security Benefits?<\/h2>\n

First, take the time to read and understand the\u00a0SSA’s initial denial<\/a>. If the decision is \u201cunfavorable,” this means the Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency, did not find that your medical impairment met the definition of disability. The DDS is a state agency funded by the federal government that completes SSA’s disability decisions at the initial level. There is another type of decision called a \u201cpartially favorable” decision. In this decision, the DDS either finds that you are disabled beginning after you said you were, or that you are no longer disabled after a period of disability. The determinations should explain the specific reasons why the DDS found you not disabled or partially disabled.<\/p>\n

Once you know why you were denied benefits, you can develop a plan of action. You may decide to appeal. At that point, you can begin to collect updated or new medical records and other evidence to prove your case. Or you may want to contact an attorney for legal advice before the appeal deadline.<\/p>\n

The most common reasons for\u00a0denial of Social Security disability benefits\u00a0<\/a>include:<\/p>\n