Mistakes to Avoid After SSDI Claim Denial in Greenville
Although you may think that you will easily qualify for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits based on your medical conditions, that is not always the case. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides several levels of appeals by which you can challenge the denial of SSDI benefits. However, getting the advice of a SSDI benefits lawyer may be advisable, as there are various mistakes to avoid after SSDI claim denial in Greenville. If you take the time to contact an experienced SSDI denials attorney immediately after your denial of benefits, you may be able to prevent some of these missteps.
Failing to Timely Appeal the Denial of SSDI Benefits
At all levels of SSDI denial appeals, individuals typically have 60 days to file an appeal. This 60-day period begins to run after the date on which applicants receive their letter of denial of benefits. SSA presumes that individuals receive denial letters no later than five days after the date of the letter. If the last day in which a person can appeal falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the time in which to appeal extends to the next business day.
Failing to timely file an appeal with SSA is a common mistake that can significantly delay any benefits to which individuals may be entitled. If a person does not appeal in a timely fashion, they risk the denial of benefits becoming a final decision by SSA. This means that they will have to reapply for benefits in order to start the disability claims process all over again.
There are some circumstances in which individuals may be able to appeal a denial of benefits even if the 60-day appeals timeframe has expired. Claimants can request in writing to have the appeals period extended if they can show a good reason for not appealing with the 60 days.
Failing to Provide Updated Medical Evidence on Appeal
At the first three levels of appeal for a SSDI denial of benefits, individuals are free to submit new medical records, test results, diagnoses, and other evidence to support their claim for benefits. Some people make the mistake of failing to update their medical records or submit new information to SSA on appeal.
The disability claims process and subsequent appeals are likely to last months and even years, which makes providing SSA with current medical evidence even more important. If someone does not take the time to present new medical evidence to SSA decisionmakers, then they risk having their appeals from the denial of SSDI benefits rejected.
Whether a person is requesting reconsideration of a denial, presenting evidence before an administrative law judge at a hearing, or sending a request for review of the denial to the Appeals Council, they should always update the medical evidence that supports their claim for benefits.
Get Legal Advice to Avoid Mistakes After a Greenville SSDI Denial
These are just a few of the most common mistakes to avoid after SSDI denial in Greenville. Failing to appeal within the required timeframe and failing to update medical records as a claim progresses through the different stages of appeal can be devastating to your claim for SSDI benefits.
Getting legal advice about your options and other mistakes to avoid following a SSDI denial can be crucial to a successful appeal.
