{"id":353919,"date":"2023-07-24T17:57:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T22:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/disability\/why-a-disability-claim-gets-denied.html"},"modified":"2026-03-09T12:07:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:07:59","slug":"why-a-disability-claim-gets-denied","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/disability\/why-a-disability-claim-gets-denied.html","title":{"rendered":"Why a Disability Claim Gets Denied"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Why a Disability Claim Gets Denied<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

There are a few common reasons for a denial of disability benefits. They include failure to meet non-medical requirements, such as earning too much money. They also include failure to meet the medical requirements, such as providing enough medical evidence of the disabling condition.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It’s essential to understand why the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies disability claims. Knowing these reasons can help you prepare your Social Security disability initial application. It can also help you decide what information to include in your appeal to overturn a denial.<\/p>\n

There are many reasons the SSA denies Social Security disability applications. These reasons include that a claimant doesn’t meet non-medical program eligibility criteria. For example, the claimant may have too many resources or insufficient work credits. The SSA can also deny a claim for insufficient medical evidence to support a finding of disability.<\/p>\n

Each person’s circumstances are unique. The following article will help you understand why the SSA may deny your application and what you can do about it. Denial is also a good reason to contact a disability law attorney<\/a> near you. A lawyer can represent you during the appeals process and seek fair consideration for benefits.<\/p>\n

Disability Denials Are Relatively Common<\/h2>\n

The SSA denies about two-thirds of all initial claims for disability benefits. An initial claim is your completed application forwarded by your local Social Security office to the Disability Determination Services.\u00a0The SSA denies claims for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) slightly more often than claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).<\/p>\n

The SSA denies an even higher rate of claims on the first level of appeal, called\u00a0reconsideration<\/a>. The SSA approves only about 11% of claims on reconsideration. But don’t give up after reconsideration. The allowance rate after a\u00a0hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)<\/a>, the next level of appeal, is a little over 50%. The ALJ level has the highest success rate of any appeals level, including the Appeals Council.<\/p>\n

You Earn Too Much Money<\/h2>\n

A common reason the SSA denies Social Security disability claims is money. Specifically, that you earn too much of it.<\/p>\n

Under SSA’s eligibility rules, you cannot receive Social Security disability benefits if you earn over a certain monthly amount. If you earn over this certain amount, the SSA considers you able to engage in\u00a0substantial gainful activity (SGA)<\/a>. Earning at SGA levels indicates to the SSA that you can perform significant mental or physical activities, which is inconsistent with a finding of disability.<\/p>\n

The national average wage index sets SGA amounts. The 2026 SGA amounts are as follows:<\/p>\n