social security disability claim

Common Challenges in the Social Security Disability Application Process

By Michelle Shvarts
Principal Attorney

If you are about to apply for Social Security disability benefits, the last thing you probably want to consider are the hurdles ahead. It is a reality, however, that applicants must face in order to help them succeed in this often frustrating process. Here, we will take a look at some of the common challenges in the Social Security disability benefits application process in the hopes that it will help you avoid them or conquer them, coming out the other side successfully.

Common Challenges in the SSD Application Process

Understanding the common challenges people face while applying for Social Security disability benefits can be critical to being successful in this process. When you are aware of these challenges, you can work to avoid them and increase your chances of being awarded those important disability benefits that provide critical financial support to disabled individuals who are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

First and foremost, one of the most common challenges applicants face in the disability benefits application process is not complying with doctors’ orders. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will look at your medical records to both review the nature of your disabling condition and whether you are trying to improve your condition, including following doctor-recommended treatment paths. If you are not complying with the orders of your treating medical professionals, this will be a huge red flag to the SSA.

You will also need to cooperate with requests made by the SSA throughout the process. For instance, the SSA will commonly request medical records or additional medical records beyond what you may have already provided. Failure to comply with this request is most likely going to result in the denial of your application. When you get these kinds of requests from the SSA, be sure to comply and comply in a timely manner.

One of the biggest and most central hurdles in the disability benefits application process is demonstrating the severity of your disability. To be eligible for benefits, your disability must be severe enough that you are unable to work for at least a year. You must also be able to prove that this is the case. Failure to be able to effectively show the SSA that your disability is this severe is likely to result in the denial of your benefits application.

Another hurdle that is central to the benefits application process is being able to prove that you are unable to work. Although it is critical to being successfully granted benefits, proving that you are unable to work can be challenging. This can be the case even more so depending on your disability and occupation. While you are allowed to earn some income when applying for benefits, earnings must be within the permitted amount or your claim is likely to be denied.

Los Angeles Social Security Disability Attorney

The fact is that applying for Social Security disability benefits is rife with challenges. Don’t worry. The team at Disability Advocates Group is here to help. Contact us today.

About the Author
Ms. Shvarts is the managing attorney for Disability Advocates Group. She opened Disability Advocates Group to assist individuals who became disabled and unable to work to obtain the benefits they need and deserve.  Ms. Shvarts and the rest of the team at Disability Advocates Group are dedicated to assisting individuals obtain Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.