FINDING OUT WHY YOUR SSDI CLAIM WAS DENIED?

When Social Security denies your disability claim, you will get a 4 or 5 page denial letter.  Most of the letter is "broiler plate" language--just form language that they use in all their letters.

But hidden away in the denial letter is the real reason they denied your claim.  This is usually found on the very last page of the letter, near the bottom of the page--often the last paragraph or next to the last paragraph.

Sometimes it will say:  "We have made diligent attempts to obtain enough information to make a decision on your claim.  However, we have not been able to get enough evidence to make a decision...," etc.

This means one of two things:  Either you don't have sufficient medical treatment OR Social Security wasn't able to find your records, possibly because you didn't give them your doctor's correct name, address or contact information.

There are 2 ways to correct this:

1.  You can file a new application and furnish all the correct medical information.  Social Security will order your records again and this time hopefully find them.  Obviously, if you don't have medical records, this would be a waste of time.  Social Security will pay for the records they order.

2.  You may file an appeal and ask for a hearing, which will take place 18 to 24 months in the future.  Someone will have to order the correct medical records and pay for them and Social Security will not pay.  If you represent yourself, you will need to pay for your records out-of-pocket.  If you have an attorney-advocate representing you, he or she will usually pay for the records and then bill you when the case settles favorably.

It is obviously to your advantage to provide full and accurate medical information in your original application.  It saves time, money and gives you an opportunity to start getting benefits months or years sooner.  Nothing guarantees a denial more than failure to give Social Security correct contact information on all your doctors, clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, counselors, psychologists--or other treating providers.