There are many reasons why the Social Security Administration (SSA) might reject your claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a technical error with the paperwork. Other times, the applicant did not submit enough evidence that their condition is truly debilitating or that it will last long enough for them to qualify.
When the mistake seems like a straightforward issue, some people might start considering reapplying for benefits. After all, you can receive a response to an application in just a few weeks. The appeals process, on the other hand, will probably take many months, and most applicants in the Tucson area have to wait more than a year.
Although reapplying might lead to a faster approval, it is often not the best approach when you become dependent on SSDI benefits to support yourself.
There is a significant benefit to appealing
The SSDI appeals process gives you an opportunity to correct any errors in your paperwork. You can also send more medical records to the SSA about your condition. For a few applicants, an approval will come shortly after a different worker at the SSA reviews their application. Reconsideration can be a very quick resolution to an appeal if new information makes a significant difference to the application.
The majority of appellants will need to go on to the hearing stage, where they present their case in front of an administrative law judge. Whether an SSA employee or a judge rules in favor of an applicant, they will qualify for benefits going forward after their approval. They will also potentially receive backdated benefits starting with the date when they first qualified after their initial application.
Those backdated benefits can add up to thousands of dollars, which can make a big difference for someone who will have to live on a fixed income comprised likely exclusively of SSDI benefits. Getting as much as possible for your claim will be important for your financial solvency and the comfort of the people who depend on you.
Learning more about how SSDI benefits work can help you make the right choices when there are complications during the application process.