If a person cannot work because of a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may provide a financial safety net to help them meet their basic needs.
The person’s disability must be qualified, meaning that it prevents the person from engaging in substantial gainful activity because of their physical or mental impairment. Also, the disability must prevent the person from working for at least one year.
Earned benefits
SSDI benefits are earned benefits, which means that the person who is applying for them must have paid into Social Security through their payroll taxes and must have sufficient work history. Then, the amount of benefits he or she can receive is based on their earnings history.
SSDI recipients may also be eligible for Medicare coverage in addition to monthly payments.
Claim denials
Unfortunately, SSDI claims may be denied for several reasons. Social Security requires detailed medical records from the applicant to document the disability. If it finds that there is a lack of sufficient medical evidence to support the disability, it may deny the claim.
Social Security may also deny the claim if the applicant does not follow the required medical treatment for their disability, fails to provide sufficient information requested by Social Security or fails to cooperate with the review process.
If the claim is denied, the applicant may have an opportunity to appeal the decision. Social Security will send the applicant a denial letter with a deadline to appeal and information about how the applicant can request reconsideration of the claim.