In most cases, your Social Security Disability (SSD) claim is denied in South Carolina because you did not meet the strict definition of disability required by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligibility.
SSD benefits provide a much-needed lifeline for South Carolinians who can no longer work due to a disabling condition. If the SSA denies your application for benefits, it is essential to understand the reason for the denial to help you move forward. You may have options available to continue with the process of seeking SSD benefits.
Eligibility Requirements to Receive Social Security Disability Benefits
To receive your SSD benefits, your condition must:
- Prevent you from working
- Last for at least a year
- Appear on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments
Reasons Your South Carolina SSD Claim May Have Been Denied
Generally, the SSA denies applications for SSD benefits because they do not meet the SSA’s eligibility requirements. When reviewing your claim for benefits, the SSA looks at five initial factors to determine eligibility. The five questions they will ask are:
- Are you working?
- Is your condition severe?
- Is your condition listed?
- Can you do the same work as before?
- Can you work at all?
Depending on the answers to those questions, you may be denied benefits based on the specific circumstances in your situation. The SSA does not pay benefits for any partial or short-term disability.
Income-Related Social Security Disability Denials
The SSA might have denied your SSD claim if you exceeded the monthly income limits for Social Security Disability. In 2021, those limits were:
- $1,310 ($2,190 if you are blind) per month for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- $794 a month for an individual or $1,191 a month for a couple for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSD benefits help support disabled people who cannot earn income, so the SSA may deny your claim if you can still work despite a disabling injury. Additionally, the SSA may reject your application if you do not have sufficient qualifying work history.
Injury or Condition SSD Denials
The SSA examiner may have denied your SSD claim due to the specific nature of your disabling condition. The SSA requires that your condition significantly limits your ability to complete standard work-related activities, including:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Memory
- Walking
- Lifting
Your condition must prevent you from working enough to meet the income limits required by the SSA. The SSA maintains a specific list of qualifying disabling conditions, known as the Social Security Blue Book. Your Social Security Disability claim can be denied if the Blue Book does not include your condition and the specific symptoms outlined for that particular disability.
Additionally, your condition must be considered severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months. The severity of your condition is a common reason for many denials and could be why the SSA denied your SSD claim. Our SSD lawyers in Boiling Springs can help you appeal a denied claim and explore all available revenues for recovery.
Additional Reasons for a Social Security Disability Denial
While the most common reasons many SSD claims get denied relate to work or disability reasons, there are additional grounds under which the SSA may deny your claim. For example, your South Carolina Social Security Disability claim may have been denied because:
- The SSA could not reach you for more information
- You did not provide enough medical evidence to support your claim
- You did not follow your medical treatment plan
- You obtained SSD benefits through fraudulent measures
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
Social Security Disability Claim Denial Occurs Regularly
It is relatively common for most people filing for social security disability benefits in South Carolina to experience at least one claim denial. The SSA is committed to protecting against fraud, leading to quick denials.
The SSA reports that its fraud prevention measures have saved nearly $188.5 million. However, these efforts often mean that deserving claimants must wait even longer to receive the benefits they need to support them when they cannot work.
Your Options If Your South Carolina Social Security Disability Claim Is Denied
You have several options available if the SSA denies your SSD claim. Depending on the specific facts of your situation and the reason for denial, you could pursue your claim further by:
- Requesting reconsideration of your application
- Attending a hearing with an SSA administrative law judge (ALJ)
- Appealing the ALJ’s decision in federal court
Trust a social security disability attorney from our team to help you explore all available options. After reviewing your case, a lawyer can offer all the information you need to make an informed decision about handling the denial.
Contact Us for Help After Denial of Your South Carolina SSD Claim
Our Social Security Disability attorneys can help you understand your options if the SSA denies your initial claim for disability benefits. We can explain the specific details of your denial and the steps to fight for the benefits you need. Additionally, we can represent your interests during a reconsideration and the ALJ benefits hearing.
For more information on how Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, could help if you received a denial letter, call (828) 286-3866 today.