Top 3 Reasons Social Security Disability Claims Get Denied (And How to Avoid Them)

Do you ever wonder why so many social security disability claims get denied, even when people are genuinely struggling to work? You're definitely not alone. And in today's video, I'm going to break down the top three reasons this happens and what you can do about it. I'm Maria Bermudez, a disability lawyer with over 17 years of experience helping people all across the country when their social security disability claims. If you're applying for benefits or you've been denied, or you're trying to figure out what went wrong, this video is for you. I'll walk you through three of the most common reasons claims are denied so you can avoid these mistakes and protect your case. Let's start with the first reason, not meeting the technical requirements of the program you applied for. This happens more often than people think. Some people apply for SSDI, which is based on your work history, but they haven't worked enough or recently enough to qualify. Others apply for SSI, which is based on financial need, but they have too much income or too many assets to be eligible for. If you don't meet the basic requirements of the program, social security won't even look at your medical evidence. The claim stops right there. So before you even get into your conditions, it's important to make sure you're applying for the right program and that you meet the financial or work credit rules that apply to that program. The second big reason claims get denied is lack of medical evidence. Even if your condition is real, social security has to be able to see it in your records. If you say your back hurts, but there's no MRI, no physical therapy, no injections, no specialist evaluations, social security is going to say there's not enough evidence to support your claim, but they don't just go by your word. They need objective proof. This also applies to mental health conditions. If you say you have depression or anxiety, but you haven't been in treatment, they'll question how serious it really is. Now I want to take a pause here and say, I know sometimes people stop going to the doctor because they don't have insurance or can't afford it. And technically social security isn't supposed to hold that against you. But in reality, if it's not documented in your records, they often do. Social security expects to see a note explaining the gap or some attempt to get care through a free clinic or a community health center, or even the emergency room. So if lack of access is part of your story, make sure it's reflected in your file. Now let's talk about the third reason claims get denied, conflicting evidence or activity level. This is a big one and people are often caught off guard by it. Social security looks at your entire file, not just what you say in your application, but what's in your medical records, your work history, and even therapy notes. If you say you can't stand more than five minutes, but your records say you're going on long walks every day, or you're out dancing at a party, that's going to raise questions. Even small inconsistencies between your statements and your records can hurt your credibility. Social security might think you're exaggerating your symptoms or not being completely honest, even if it's just someone's misunderstanding. That's why it's so important to be consistent and specific when you're filling out your forms or talking to your doctors. So just to recap, the three most common reasons social security disability claims get denied are one, not meeting the basic requirements of the program, like work credits or financial limits, two, not having enough medical evidence to back up your condition, and three, conflicting or inconsistent information in your file. These are issues we see all the time, but they're also issues you can fix or avoid if you know what to look for. If you're ready to apply or appeal, or if you've been denied and aren't sure why, click the link in the bio to request a free case evaluation. We'll take a look at your situation and let you know if we think we can help. Also, if this video was helpful, don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our other videos on how to navigate the social security disability process. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.