If you have tried unsuccessfully to apply for disability benefits, it may be time to consult with a Greenville disability lawyer. It’s very difficult to get approved for disability benefits on your first try. In fact, it is estimated that more than 70% of initial claims filed with the Social Security Administration are denied. Many people must appeal their claims several times before they are finally approved for benefits. Many others are never approved, and simply have to find another job to make ends meet. There are certain things that are more likely to cause your claim to be denied. If you aren’t sure why your claim was denied, then you definitely want to talk to a Greenville disability lawyer. They can reach out to the SSA and find out what’s going on with your claim. Your Greenville disability lawyer can also help you fix the issues that exist with your claims so that it can be finally approved.
If You Make Too Much Money, Your Claim Will Be Denied
One of the most common reasons why a disability claim will be denied is that you make too much money. In order to qualify for disability, an applicant must show that they make less than a certain amount of money. According to the Social Security Administration, if somebody makes more than the income threshold amount, they are engaged in what is called “Substantial Gainful Activity.” The income limit is set by the federal government, and it can change from year to year. For the year 2022, the income limit was $1,350 per month.
Depending on when you file your claim, your Greenville disability lawyer will let you know what that threshold amount is. If you are right on the border according to your income level, it’s safe to assume that your claim will be denied. The claims examiners at the SSA believe that anybody who can earn enough through substantial gainful activity has no reason to apply for disability benefits. Typically, if your claim is denied for this reason, your Greenville disability lawyer may have to wait a few months and help you reapply. This is not a matter of the income threshold going up. It is simply a matter of your income leveling out to a lesser amount.
If You Are Under the Age of 50 You Are Expected to Find Alternate Work
One other reason why many disability claims are denied by the SSA is that you are younger than 50 years old. While the age of retirement is estimated to be 65 years old, the SSA believes that anybody under the age of 50 is young enough to start a new career. For example, if you are 42 years old and can no longer work as a truck driver, there is no reason why you could not go back to school to become an accountant or a teacher. This is the way that the Social Security Administration sees it. What your Greenville disability lawyer may have to do is present evidence that you are not able to work at any job going forward, or at least for the next 12 months.
You Refuse to Cooperate with the Social Security Administration
The biggest mistake anybody can make when it comes to their disability claim is being rude to the examiners. Once you file your claim and your papers are processed, a representative from the SSA will need to contact you to schedule your initial examination. This is typically done over the phone. You will also have to fill out several forms and return them prior to your scheduled appointment. When the representative contacts you, if you are rude or ignorant to them, they are going to deny your claim.
It’s important to remember that nobody has a right to receive disability benefits. This is a privilege that is offered to people who are unable to work due to a physical disability that will last more than one year. It is very easy for the claims examiner to find a reason to deny your claim. If you give them a hard time, use profanity, or refuse to answer their telephone calls, you should expect to have your claim denied.
You Have Never Sought Medical Attention or Treatment for Your Disability
If you are applying for disability, you are going to have to prove that you have a medical condition that prevents you from working for a period of at least one year. The best way to prove that you have a disability is to submit a copy of your medical records to the Social Security Administration. If you fail to do this, or you have never sought medical treatment for your disability, your claim will not be approved. The way the Social Security Administration sees things, if you have not sought medical care for your alleged disability, it must not be all that bad.
Your Disability is Not Expected to Last for More Than One Year
As stated above, in order to help you qualify for disability benefits, your Greenville disability lawyer must demonstrate that your disability will last for more than one year. If you have already been out of work for one year, then you do not have to worry about this requirement. If, however, you recently suffered an injury, you may have to wait one full year before you apply for benefits. This is because there is a likely chance that your claim will be denied due to the uncertainty of how long your disability will last.
It May Be Time to Call a Disability Attorney in Greenville
We suggest that anybody who has been denied for disability contact our office as soon as possible. The disability process can be extremely daunting. It can also take a long time. It could be months before you ever hear back regarding your initial claim. However, if you have hired a disability attorney in Greenville, there’s a chance that you’ll get a much faster response. There is also a better chance that your claim will be approved. When the administrators at the SSA examine your claim and see that you have retained counsel, they may be willing to take your claim more seriously. Or they may make a better effort to contact your attorney in order to resolve any outstanding issues with your claim.
You can call our office at any time and schedule your initial consultation. You can also go online and schedule an appointment through our website. If you truly are disabled and need benefits, you don’t want to let too much time go by before you take action. If the SSA doesn’t think that you take your claim seriously, they aren’t going to take your claim seriously either.
