Does Social Security Disability Deny Everyone the First Time They Apply?

Regarding the myth that all disability claims are denied the first time around, the answer is, this is not true. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has no regulation, policy, or formula that influences the disability system in such a way that every initial application for Social Security disability benefits is automatically denied.

It's easy to see how so many people would believe that there must exist such a policy. Though the numbers vary by state, nationwide, about 70% of all disability claims are denied on the first application filed with the Social Security Administration. And Social Security will keep denying you for disability if you continue to make new applications instead of filing appeals (generally, the goal is to eventually get your case heard by a judge in an appeal, which gives you the best chance of winning).

Some people also believe that the SSA denies claims for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) to delay a case, hoping that the applicant's eligibility for SSDI will run out. This isn't true, although it does sometimes happen that an applicant will be denied on a disability claim and will file a new application at a later date, only to find that his or her insured status for Social Security disability benefits has expired. When this happens, an applicant's only option is to file an SSI disability application (SSI is the low-income program, which pays lower benefits than SSDI).

What does it mean when we say that an applicant's insured status for Social Security Disability has run out? SSDI is like an insurance policy, and every SSDI applicant has something called a DLI, or date last insured. The DLI is based on their work history and the number of work credits they have accumulated in the last five out of ten years. The DLI can basically be thought of as an expiration date for Social Security Disability benefits. For more information, see our article on the date last insured (DLI).

While many, many applicants for Social Security do get denied, those that have severe impairments that make it impossible to work are ofte able to get benefits on the first try. To significantly improve your chances of winning your disability case the first time around, you should:

• Learn about the medical-vocational allowance and the RFC you need to be disabled.
• Learn what type of RFC you should get with your disabling medical condition.
• Have your doctor fill out an RFC form stating the limiting factors your condition deserves.
• Find legal representation.

Read more Social Security Disability Myths