Social Security Disability Denials & Denied Cases

Disability denials are, unfortunately, what most disability claimants can expect to receive after they file a claim for benefits with the Social Security Administration.

Statistically (depending, to some extent, on where a disability claimant lives), initial claims have a denial rate of approximately 65%. Reconsiderations (the first step of appeals) are denied at an even higher rate (up to 85%).

Denial Notice

A notice of denial from the Social Security Administration will contain a brief description of your medical condition, the impairments that were considered, the medical and nonmedical records that were considered, and an explanation for the denial. For instance, the explanation might say that there are other jobs other than your prior work that you can still do. Some denial notices will include a "technical rationale," a full explanation of the medical issues that led to the denial decision and usually a discussion of your residual functional capacity (RFC) and past jobs.

A Denial Does Not Mean it's Not a Good Case

The fact that a disability claim has been denied is not necessarily mean that you aren't disabled. The most basic fact of the SSA disability process is simply that most cases will be denied, forcing claimants to go through the disability appeal process. Disability claimants should never resign themselves to giving up on an SSDI or SSI claim. Quite the opposite, the moment a claim is denied means that you can appeal, and the sooner you appeal, the sooner Social Security will schedule a hearing, which gives you the best chance of winning your claim. Learn more about appealing a disability denial.