Why Do Most People Get Denied for Disability?

67% of initial applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are denied.

So, why do most people get denied for disability? Below, we break down the top reasons and explain what you can do if your claim is denied.

1. Lack of Enough Medical Evidence

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires strong medical proof to approve a disability claim. Many applicants get denied because:

• Their medical records do not support a severe diagnosis that would indicate they cannot work above required levels.
• Their condition is severe but they do not have consistent doctor visits or treatments that support their diagnosis.
• They rely only on their personal testimony without medical support for their claim from their treating providers.

How to Avoid This:

• Visit your doctor regularly and follow treatment plans. If you do not receive private healthcare insurance, consider state healthcare programs such as Medicaid or visit free local healthcare clinics.
• Keep detailed records of your symptoms and limitations.
• Submit medical tests, doctor’s notes, and hospital records as part of your initial application for disability benefits.

2. Earning Too Much Money

SSDI is a Federal insurance program for people who cannot work due to a serious and long-term disability. If you are a non-blind disabled individual earning more than $1,620 per month (in 2025), you will not qualify for the SSA’s disability programs which include both SSDI and SSI.  Earnings above this threshold will result in SSA denying your claim for disability benefits.

How to Avoid This:

• Check Social Security’s current Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit before applying.
• If you are working below the allowable amount, ensure your income stays below the limit and that you cannot take on additional work (above the limit). Claimants cannot ‘artificially’ work below SGA levels as a way to qualify for disability benefits, so if you are working part-time, SSA will investigate whether you can work additional hours, putting you above the earnings limit.

3. The Disability Is Not Expected to Last Long Enough

The SSA only approves disabilities that:

• Have already lasted 12 months,
• Are expected to last at least 12 months, or
• Are terminal (will result in death).

If the SSA believes your condition will improve quickly, they may deny your claim. The key to remember this rule is that even chronic diseases (which are not severe) that last for long periods of times may not qualify for SSDI or SSI disability benefits. Your disease MUST be severe enough that it limits you from working full-time AND long-lasting enough (i.e. progressive) that it lasts for a period of at least 12 months or longer. If you are suffering from a terminal diagnosis, you may qualify for expedited claim processing via Social Security’s Compassionate Allowance Program.

How to Avoid This:

• Have your doctor provide a detailed medical statement explaining your long-term condition.
• Show a history of ongoing treatments without improvement.
• Avoid drugs, alcohol, unhealthy food and other substances that have a serious negative impact on your health condition. You cannot participate in worsening your condition and also receive disability benefits although substance abuse or unhealthy behaviors that do not impact or have a resulting impact on your medical condition will not typically harm your claim.

4. Failure to Follow Treatment Plans

This is a significant reason many claimants with good claims do not receive disability approvals. If uou do not follow your doctor’s advice, the SSA may assume you could work if you followed treatment. Common reasons for denial include:

• Missing doctor’s appointments.
• Not taking prescribed medications.
• Ignoring physical therapy or rehabilitation plans.

How to Avoid This:

• Always follow medical advice and keep records of your treatments.
• If you cannot afford treatment, explain your situation in your application.

5. Not Cooperating with the SSA

SSA denies disability claims for medical reasons and for ‘technical’ reasons. A technical denial simply means that you failed to complete necessary paperwork or to follow the instructions and timelines required by the SSA. The SSA may deny your claim if you:

• Do not provide requested medical records or documents.
• Do not attend a scheduled Consultative Exam (CE) with an SSA doctor.
• Do not respond to letters or phone calls from the SSA on a timely basis.
• Miss deadlines.

How to Avoid This:

• Respond quickly to any SSA requests.
• Attend all medical exams scheduled by the SSA.
• Keep your contact information updated with the SSA.

6. The SSA Cannot Contact You

If the SSA cannot reach you, they cannot process (and hopefully approve) your claim. If you move or change your phone number, physical or mailing address, update your contact details immediately.

How to Avoid This:

• Give the SSA a reliable way to reach you. If you do not currently have an address, ask a trusted friend or family member to use theirs.
• Regularly check your mail and voicemail for SSA updates.
• To avoid the mail, sign up online for a My Social Security Account here and keep your contact information up-to-date.

7. Not Meeting the SSA’s Definition of Disability

The SSA has a strict definition of disability:

“To meet our definition of disability, you must not be able to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability(ies) that is either:

• Expected to result in death.
• Has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

• You must be unable to do any work due to your condition.
• Your disability must last at least 12 months or be terminal.
• You must be unable to perform any kind of work, not just your past job.

Many people get denied because the SSA believes they can adjust to another type of work. The SSA uses work grids to determine how likely you are to be able to adjust to new work – older people have lower standards to meet than younger people.

How to Avoid This:

• Don’t apply for disability if you cannot easily adjust to new work.
• On your work history report and functional assessment documents, explain in great detail how your medical condition prevents you from performing work of any kind.
• Ask your treating providers to explain why you cannot work in any job.
• Show how your disability affects daily tasks like sitting, standing, or concentrating, not just the more specialized skills you used in your work.

8. Applying Too Soon After a Denial Without Changes

If you apply again without fixing the issues from your first denial, you are likely to be denied again.

How to Avoid This:

• Do not submit the same application twice without adding new medical evidence.
• Instead, file an appeal and include additional medical evidence or detail if denied for medical reasons.
• If denied for technical reasons, correct any issues with your paperwork or documentation and meet all required timelines when you restart your claim for benefits.

9. Age, Education, and Work History Factors

The SSA looks at your age, education level, and past work experience to decide if you can work.

• Younger applicants (under 50) with moderate to serious impairments are often denied because the SSA assumes they can adjust to new work.
• Higher education levels may make it harder to prove you cannot do another job, particularly if the focus of your work was technical or less physically demanding.

How to Avoid This:

• Provide detailed explanations of why you cannot switch to another type of job.
• Highlight any physical or mental limitations that prevent you from working, including issues with focus, concentration, and sedentary activities that would prevent you from holding a full time job.

10. Filing Without Legal Help

Many first-time applicants do not realize that hiring a disability lawyer greatly improves their chances of approval. Statistics show that people with legal representation are more likely to get approved, especially at the appeal stage, and that most claims are approved at the hearing level where a disability lawyer can argue your claim in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Additionally, disability lawyers and their case managers are experienced at managing paperwork and filing appeals on time. They will ensure your deadlines are met and all the documentation is up-to-date and within SSA best practices and standards.

How to Avoid This:

• Work with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer to help gather strong evidence.
• A lawyer can handle all paperwork, communicate with the SSA, and represent you in hearings.

What to Do If You Were Denied

If your Social Security Disability claim was denied, don’t give up! You can appeal the decision and provide more evidence.

Steps to Take:

1. File an appeal quickly – You have 60 days to request a reconsideration from the initial application staage.
2. Gather more medical records – Provide new test results or doctor’s notes.
3. Write a detailed appeal letter – Explain why the SSA was wrong to deny you.
4. Hire a disability lawyer – A lawyer can improve your chances of winning your appeal. If you’d like to work with a lawyer on a denial, contact them as soon as you receive your denial letter in the mail.

Final Thoughts

Most people get denied for disability due to lack of medical evidence, earning too much income, not following treatment, or failing to meet SSA’s strict rules. The good news is that you can fight back by appealing your case with strong medical proof and legal help.

At Collins Price, we specialize in helping people get the SSDI and SSI disability benefits they deserve. If you have been denied, contact us today for a free consultation. We can guide you through the appeal process and improve your chances of winning your case. And as always, there is no fee for our services unless we win your claim.