Avoid These Common Mistakes When Filling Out Your Social Security Disability Application

The process of filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is one that's always fraught with pitfalls. Although there are plenty of reasons why your application for benefits could be denied, most denials are surprisingly self-inflicted by unknowing applicants. This article takes an in-depth look at four common mistakes that people make when filing for SSDI benefits.

Incomplete Application Information

When it comes to the application process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) needs a complete picture of your medical history as well as your employment and education. For this reason, it's important to fill out your application as thoroughly as possible. Not providing enough information to the SSA when applying for benefits can easily result in a denial of benefits.

Incorrect Information

Your SSDI claim can also be turned down due to incorrect information listed on your application. A simple misspelling of your doctor's name, incorrectly formatted addresses, and even the wrong phone number can be the catalyst for a rejection.

To keep this from happening, it's always a good idea to double-check every single piece of information on your application. If necessary, contact your current and former doctors to verify names, addresses and other pertinent information required by the SSA.

Conflicting Information

In an ongoing effort to combat fraud, the SSA is always on the lookout for applications with flaws and inconsistencies that may suggest fraudulent activity. Your application reviewer will look for facts and statements that conflict with one another, including dates, diagnoses and other important details that don't add up.

To avoid having your application red-flagged and eventually rejected, make sure that all of the facts and data provided on your application is 100 percent true and free of any conflicting information. Don't forget to carefully double check your application before sending it off.

Missed Deadlines

If you're planning on filing an appeal after your SSDI application was initially denied, you'll have 60 days to respond and mail in your appeal, starting from the date on which you received your decision notice. The SSA also allocates an additional five days for the notice to arrive in the mail, in effect giving you a total of 65 days to file your appeal.

Missing this deadline could prevent you from receiving your SSDI benefits unless you can demonstrate a "good cause" for filing a late appeal. This includes records being destroyed by flood or house fire, health emergencies, and the actual decision notice being lost in the mail. 

To learn more, contact an attorney such as Bruce K Billman.