What’s next if your claim came back denied?

When you learn that your claim for disability benefits came back denied, it can be devastating. You may not be able to work, and you need those benefits to help ends meet and allow you to support yourself. Even with a valid disabling condition, securing benefits can be a frustratingly difficult process.

After a denied claim, you may wonder what you should do next. It may feel like the end of the road, but there are still options available to you. Through an appeal, you can continue your pursuit of the disability benefits you need. Because this is an important endeavor, you will find it beneficial to work with an experienced North Carolina attorney before you embark on the appeals process.

Understanding the reason

One of the most important steps of the appeals process is figuring out why the claim came back denied in the first place. The Social Security Administration holds a strict definition of disability, and even with a completed application and the necessary documentation, the SSA still denies many first-time claims. Some of the most common reasons listed include:

• The disability is not severe or will probably not last for a period of at least 12 months.
• It is possible you can still work in some capacity.
• There was not enough medical evidence included in your claim.
• You went back to work before the SSA reviewed your claim.
• There is evidence that you did not follow the doctor’s directions.

Any of these reasons could lead to a denied claim, but that is not the end of the road for you. In your appeal, you can include new and additional documentation that can validate your claim for disability benefits and prove that you have a qualifying medical condition. This can include statements from your doctor, medical records and more.

Quick action is important

Taking quick action is important if you are considering seeking a reconsideration of your claim. You have a limited amount of time to move forward with this course of action, and it is smart to start gathering the evidence you need as soon as possible.

The disability claims process is complex, and many applicants find it beneficial to have experienced guidance from the very beginning of the process. Whether you need to complete the initial application or you need to seek an appeal of a denied claim, you do not have to walk through it alone.