Social Security Denied? The Five Step Process Tells You Why

Were you denied Social Security disability benefits?

This can be very confusing, especially if you know other people with the same disability who are getting SSI or SSDI benefits. You may wonder why the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your claim.
The SSA uses a 5-step process to determine eligibility for SSI and SSDI. Our Dallas Social Security Disability attorneys explain step by step.
Step 1:  Are you working? If you are employed and you earn at least $1,010 a month, you are not considered disabled. Your claim will be denied.
Step 2: Is your condition severe? The SSA will use the medical records that you provided to determine if your disability would interfere with basic work-related activities. If you don’t adequately document your disability, or don’t have supporting medical records, your claim will be denied.
Step 3:  Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify an applicant for SSI or SSDI.  If your condition is on the list, your application is approved. If it isn’t, the SSA must decide if your disability is of equal severity to a medical condition on the list. If it is, your application will be approved. If it isn’t, the SSA will go to step 4.
Step 4: Can you do any work that you did previously? If you are currently able to do any of the jobs that you did in the past, your application will be denied.
Step 5: Can you do any other type of work? The SSA will consider the limitations of your medical conditions as well as your age, educational background, past work experience, and any skills you may have to determine if you are able to do any type of work for pay. If you can’t do any type of work, your claim will be approved. If you can do work of any type, your claim will be denied.
Denied disability benefits? More than half of those who receive SSI and SSDI were denied after their first application. Don’t give up! A Dallas SSI attorney can help you appeal your denial and get the benefits you need. To learn more, contact the attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm by calling (214) 651-6100.