Working professionals fund Social Security with every paycheck they receive or estimated quarterly tax payment they make. Most people expect to receive Social Security benefits during their retirement years.
Occasionally, people may need support before they can retire. Individuals with disabling medical conditions might be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits when their health prevents them from working. SSDI benefits can help people cover their basic needs when they cannot work but are not yet old enough to access retirement benefits.
Many potentially qualified SSDI applicants do not want to apply, as they have heard that the Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects everyone initially. Is it true that SSDI applicants always face an uphill battle?
The SSA has strict standards
Applicants for SSDI benefits generally need to show that they are completely incapable of working. They also need to have a medical condition likely to affect them for a year or longer.
According to the SSA’s self-reported claims data, only 21% of applicants on average each year receive approval immediately when they apply. However, appeals are relatively common and often lead to success.
Based on the data gathered between 2010 and 2019, an average of another 10% of applicants secure benefits during the appeals process each year. An average of 31% of all SSDI applicants eventually receive benefits. While the majority of applicants are unsuccessful, enough people obtain benefits to make the application process worthwhile.
Securing support while preparing to apply for SSDI benefits can increase the chances of success. Legal support can be especially important for those who need to appeal to secure SSDI benefits.