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How to increase the chances of having a SSDI claim approved

On Behalf of | Feb 12, 2016 | Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability

When Georgia residents are facing an important challenge, it can often seem as though the deck is stacked against them. Obstacles may stand in the way of achieving a goal, and sometimes these obstacles can seem daunting. And yet, with the right preparation and knowledge, individuals can overcome these challenges and succeed in accomplishing their goals.

This is certainly the case when it comes to applying for SSDI benefits. While the number of SSDI claims have increased in recent years, only 36 percent of claims filed from 2004 to 2013 were approved. About one-fourth of claims were awarded benefits on the initial claim, followed by two percent more on appeal and eleven percent at hearings.

While the relatively low number of claims approved can make the process of applying for benefits appear very difficult, there are ways in which individuals can help increase the odds that their claim will be approved. From the start, individuals should ensure the agency has as much information as possible in order to approve the claim.

Gathering medical records, for example, will help ensure the medical requirements of the claim are satisfied, rather than having the claim denied because insufficient information was presented. The medical requirements must be satisfied before a SSDI claim will be approved, and medical records are a key method of satisfying these requirements.

Over a quarter of claims were denied in 2013 because the claimant’s impairment was not considered severe. Accordingly, by showing the seriousness of the person’s condition, how it has impacted his or her abilities and how the person has received regular medical care for the condition, the individual can drastically increase the likelihood of having the claim approved.

Source: CNBC, “Steps to successfully apply for Social Security disability,” Kelli B. Grant, Feb. 1, 2016

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