SSDI FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

The Application

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) might seem straightforward at first—just fill out some forms, right?

Don’t be fooled.

For starters, you’ll need to detail your medical condition and work background by completing both the Adult Disability Report and the Work History Report. What’s more, these forms require meticulous attention to detail, as incomplete or incorrect information can lead to serious delays and even outright denials.

The Result

Here’s the tough part: only about 22% of initial SSDI applications get approved.

Why?

Because proving that your medical condition qualifies under SSDI’s strict rules is not so easy and the appeals process for denied applications is not so fast. Moreover, if your application is originally denied, the process becomes more involved.

The Redo

The reconsideration process provides an opportunity for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to re-evaluate their decision, though it’s not available in all states and often yields little change.

Without a successful reconsideration, you can request a hearing to present your case anew. If, however, the hearing also results in a denial, you still have the option of either requesting a review by the Appeals Council or starting a new application.

The End

All in all, succeeding in your SSDI claim requires patience and persistence. Each step must be carefully managed, each box checked, and every piece of evidence corroborated.

Final success is what counts, after all. The end result. Taken on the whole after taking your lumps and still meeting the bell. That’s when you know you’ve won.