If your disability means you face many struggles in your daily life, it should be no surprise to you that trying to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance benefits will be one more struggle. Close to a million people apply for SSDI each year, and only about a third of those applicants gain approval for financial assistance.

This statistic may seem daunting and even discouraging to you. However, if you understand some of the reasons why the Social Security Administration denies so many claims, you may be better able to prepare an application that will improve your chances of receiving the benefits you need and deserve.

Common reasons for SSDI denials

Assuming your illness, injury or condition is one that the SSA accepts as a disabling condition, your application and documentation play a major role in the decision to accept or deny your claim for benefits. The more thorough and accurate your application, the more evidence you are providing of how much your condition affects your daily life and your ability to earn money. Errors in your application, insufficient medical documentation and fraudulent applications are some of the reasons why the SSA may deny your claim.

Other common reasons why your application may be at risk of rejection include the following:

• You are earning money that places your income above the eligibility limit.
• Doctors do not expect your disability to last at least one year.
• You are attempting to claim disability for an injury suffered during the commission of a felony or while imprisoned for a felony conviction.
• You failed to cooperate with the SSA, or the SSA was unable to reach you for follow-up information.
• You are claiming a disability for a condition that exists because of your ongoing abuse of alcohol or drugs.
• You willingly failed to follow medical advice prescribed for your condition, such as taking medications or going to therapy.

The SSA may also reject your claim if you fail to provide adequate documentation, including records of all visits to doctors, specialists, emergency clinics and therapists related to your disability. You must also include proof of all treatments and medications you have used to treat your condition and every attempt you made to find relief for the disabling symptoms.

While this may be simpler to document for physical ailments, you may find it challenging to know what to include if you suffer from a mental illness or a condition that is not as obvious to diagnose, such as chronic fatigue syndrome. For assistance in completing your application for the best opportunity of avoiding a denial, an Indiana legal professional is a good advocate. You can also seek legal help for appealing an SSDI denial.