Approval Rate for Social Security Disability

The rate of approval for Social Security Disability benefits (SSD) varies from case to case. But at Pilzer Klein, we can review your situation and tell you what your chances could be.

Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Greenville, SC, can help you understand what factors in your case can increase your chances of approval. Read on to learn more about the approval rate for Social Security Disability.

What Is the Approval Rate for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Based on the most recent data from the Social Security Administration, about 36% of Social Security Disability applications were approved in 2021. The national approval rate at the initial application stage was 43% in 2021. This means that less than half of the applicants’ applications were approved.

At the reconsideration stage for the same year, only 15% of applicants’ requests for reconsideration were approved. These statistics show that this stage can prove to be more difficult because you have to submit additional medical evidence.

For all beneficiaries that advanced to a hearing and all the way up to a federal court review, 63% of applicants received benefits, indicating a much higher success rate. Even though these statistics can seem promising, you should remember that they don’t apply to your case; these are just to give you a perspective on the approval rate nationally.

How does Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer Increase Your Approval Rate?

Hiring an experienced Social Security disability attorney can significantly boost your chances of obtaining benefits. Some of the key reasons why legal representation improves approval rates include:

Over 50 Years of Combined Experience Winning Benefits for Our Clients

Applying for SSD can be an intricate process that involves filling out lengthy forms, submitting medical records, meeting deadlines, and understanding complex eligibility criteria. The laws and regulations governing SSD claims are extensive and open to interpretation.

Meanwhile, the stress, physical, and mental health issues may make it difficult for you to handle these tasks on your own. Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Greenville, SC, have decades of experience handling hundreds of claims. We understand what evidence and details are most effective for proving disability based on how similar cases have been viewed by Judges in the past.

Develop Thorough Medical Evidence

To prove an inability to work, you must provide objective medical evidence corroborating all functional limitations caused by their disabilities. However, gathering years of records from multiple providers spread across different medical facilities can be an impossible task without assistance.

Our experienced lawyers know which treating source opinions and diagnostic test results carry the most weight. We make sure we obtain your entire medical history and organize it chronologically. We may also order any supplementary exams that are necessary in accordance with specialists to fully document all severe impairments.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Even minor mistakes can cause an initial denial, from overlooking filing details to skipping mandatory medical source statements. The complex process of applying for benefits allows for many errors if you don’t hire legal help. However, our disability attorneys are uniquely positioned to catch and remedy issues.

Through our constant review, we minimize risks like missing deadlines, failing to submit all requested information, or incorrectly filling out financial forms. Careful proofreading by legal representatives protects claimants from unintentionally giving the state agency grounds to deny a deserving case.

Is Your Claim Terminated After It’s Initially Denied?

No, receiving an initial denial from the SSA does not mean your case is over. There are multiple appeal options still available to you that a Greenville, SC, Social Security Disability appeals attorney at Pilzer Klein can help you with. No matter the outcome of your application, your claim remains open and eligible for further review.

While an initial denial can feel discouraging, it’s actually very common. In fact, most people are rejected the first time. That’s why the SSA has a multi-step appeals process in place. With the right evidence and arguments presented at subsequent levels of appeal, you can still achieve a favorable ruling.

The reconsideration stage will be your first opportunity to appeal. At this step, all the evidence in your application will be examined again, so it’s essential to submit any new medical records or testimony within 60 days of the denial. Providing additional information that addresses the reasons for rejection can sway the fresh look of a new examiner.

If reconsideration doesn’t change the decision, you then have the option to request a hearing. This provides an in-person meeting with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to make your case with all supporting documentation. Hearings allow the oral presentation of a strong argument and a chance to directly question any experts or reviewers involved. Most claimants achieve success at this level.

Beyond the hearing, further appeals to the Appeal Council and courts keep your application alive through the entire process. With persistence and the right legal guidance, your determination may ultimately be reversed even after multiple initial denials, so don’t lose hope. Your eligibility has not ended by any means at this stage.

How does the Type of Disability Affect Your Chances of Approval for Benefits?

The specific medical conditions you claim on a Social Security disability application can impact the likelihood of getting approved or denied. Some types of disabilities tend to have higher approval ratings than others based on historical decision trends from the SSA, such as:

• Mental health issues generally yield lower approval rates versus physical disabilities. Conditions like depression and anxiety are more difficult to conclusively prove via medical evidence alone.
• Musculoskeletal problems like back issues are commonly attributed to denying benefits. However, claims with objective clinical findings of degenerative disc disease may see higher success.
• Severe birth defects or developmental delays are often more likely to get approved at a younger age due to their lifelong impacts.
• Chronic illnesses diagnosed by objective testing fare better than syndromes based only on reported symptoms. Diseases with clear pathology get more credibility from judges.
• Terminal illnesses or injuries leading to complete disability or dismemberment almost always satisfy the criteria for allowances.

Learn More About the Approval Rate for Social Security Disability

If you’re looking for more detailed information about approval rates for SSD in Greenville, SC, our Social Security Disability attorneys at Pilzer Klein can give you insights into the cases they’ve handled and the success rates. If you decide that you want to work with us, we’ll be ready to help you have the highest chance of success.

Contact us today to learn more about your chances of approval for Social Security Disability.