Most working adults contribute to Social Security. Employers withhold funds from every paycheck to make Social Security contributions on behalf of direct-hire employees. Small business owners and self-employed independent contractors make Social Security contributions on their own behalf.
Many people make use of their Social Security contributions by seeking retirement benefits later in life. Others need support long before they are eligible for retirement benefits. Some people have to stop working before they reach retirement age. They may sustain injuries or develop debilitating medical conditions that force them to stop working entirely. People dealing with disabling medical conditions may apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to replace their lost income.
How likely are applicants to secure financial support when they apply for SSDI benefits?
Most applications get rejected initially
There’s a reason that people say that most applicants face a challenging process. While some people receive prompt approvals, many others face bureaucratic red tape. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a relatively high standard for disability. People typically only qualify when they become completely incapable of working.
Many people try to handle applications on their own and then make mistakes that result in rejections. According to reports from the SSA about the outcome of applications submitted between 2010 and 2019, an average of 21% of applicants receive approval when they initially apply. Everyone else gets rejected.
Those not approved for SSDI benefits have the option of appealing. The appeals process can take months to complete. Still, it may be worth pursuing. Every year, an average of 2% of the overall applicants seeking SSDI benefits obtain them during reconsideration.
If a reconsideration is unsuccessful, an applicant can request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Another 8% of applicants on average get benefits from hearings or further stages of appeals. The final approval rate averages out to 31% of those seeking benefits. Just under one in three people who apply may ultimately obtain SSDI benefits.
Having support when seeking SSDI benefits or appealing a decision could increase an applicant’s chances of success. Professionals dealing with debilitating medical conditions may need help navigating SSA paperwork and gathering documentation about their conditions, and that’s okay. The right assistance can help an applicant avoid mistakes and oversights that could delay their approval for SSDI benefits.