If you’re unable to work due to a disabling medical condition, you understand why it’s important to have financial support. This is why you applied for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, and it’s devastating when you don’t get the support you need. Thankfully, there are additional steps you can take to continue your right for benefits.
After a denied disability claim, you can seek a reconsideration of your claim. Most Social Security disability claims are not successful on the first attempt, and you may seek a reconsideration of your claim. If you need to apply for benefits or you are unsure of what to do after learning of a denied claim, you may want to speak with an attorney about the options available to you and how you should move forward.
What’s next?
You have a certain amount of time to request a reconsideration of your claim. Typically, applicants have 60 days to file from the date they received their denial letter. Missing the deadline likely means you will have to start over with a new claim. An important component of your success with the reconsideration process lies in including new documentation that rebuts the findings made by the SSA after reviewing your claim. This may include:
- A new diagnosis
- Information from your medical records
- Findings from the laboratory
- Updates in treatment and prognosis
It is also helpful to have a written statement from your doctor regarding how your impairment affects your ability to work. The statement should include convincing evidence that verifies that the medical condition negatively affects your ability to do important tasks, such as bending, lifting, standing, walking and more. A well-written statement from a doctor can play a vital role in overturning a denied claim.
For a mental disability, a doctor’s statement could include evidence that verifies how your condition affects your ability to concentrate, reason, talk, do tasks safely, drive and more.
Continue your fight
A denied disability claim is frustrating, but it’s not the end of the road for you in your effort to secure benefits through the SSA. You will find it helpful to work with an experienced Florida attorney knowledgeable in the disability claims process, even from the initial stages of your claim. If you need to seek a reconsideration, a legal ally can ensure that you have what you need to strengthen your case and get the financial support you need.
