Have you been told that “everybody” gets denied the first time that they file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits?
This is a very common thing to hear, and it often causes a lot of people to delay filing. After all, when you’re already struggling with a serious disability that prevents you from working, who wants to run a “paper obstacle course” to try to get benefits?
Fortunately, there’s actually no truth to that rumor. Here’s where things really stand:
Your odds of being approved for SSDI are higher than you think
Nationally, about one of every three disability applications filed with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2022 were ultimately approved – but that figure includes many applicants whose claims were denied solely for technical reasons. That means that no decision was ever made on whether or not they were suffering from a disability under SSA’s rules.
Of those whose claims made it past the technical screening process, the national approval rate was approximately 53% – meaning that more than one out of every two applicants were found to have a disability that qualified them for benefits.
All that being said, however, it’s important to note that the road to an approval isn’t always easy. Many people who are rightfully due benefits still have their initial claims denied – and there are precious few approvals granted upon reconsideration (the first appeal). However, more than 51% of those who file a second appeal and go to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ultimately see their claims approved.
Don’t let fear hold you back from making a claim for your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. There is legal guidance available.