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Top Mistakes That Lead to SSDI Application Denial
Avoidable mistakes can lead to the denial of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and cost deserving applicants much-needed benefits. Even strong claims can be rejected due to technical errors, missing information, and misunderstandings about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability cases. With the help of an experienced Dallas, TX SSDI attorney, you can avoid these common mishaps and give your application a fighting chance.
Missing or Incomplete Medical Records for SSDI
The SSA relies heavily on medical evidence when evaluating your claim and determining whether you qualify for disability. If your medical records are inconsistent, outdated, or lacking in detail, your claim may be rejected, regardless of the severity of your condition. According to § 404.1513 of the Social Security Code of Federal Regulations, the SSA considers an extensive list of medical evidence, including:
Applying for Disability Benefits With Multiple Health Conditions
It is common for people who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to have more than one medical issue that makes it difficult or impossible for them to work. When this is the case, Social Security must consider the combined impact of all medical conditions affecting you. To ensure you properly address your health status when applying for disability, seek the guidance of an experienced Collin County, TX disability benefits attorney. Even minor health concerns can impact your claim.
How Does Social Security Consider Multiple Conditions When Applying for Disability?
When you apply for disability and mention multiple health conditions on the application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider how the combination of them affects your ability to earn a living. The first step in the evaluation process is to determine whether you are earning above the substantial gainful activity amount, which refers to money earned from work that requires significant mental or physical activity.
When Can You Get SSDI for Asthma or COPD?
Breathing is not optional. But for people with chronic lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), every breath can feel like a battle. When these conditions become severe enough to interfere with daily functioning or employment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can offer vital support — but getting approved is not always easy.
SSDI claims for respiratory illnesses are often denied the first time around. The burden of proof is high, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires detailed medical evidence showing that your condition is not only real but truly disabling. You do not have to do the hard work of proving your disability on your own. Our Dallas, TX social security disability insurance attorneys fight hard for our clients, including appealing claims that have been denied.
Can You Spend Your SSDI Benefits on Whatever You Want?
When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, it is natural to wonder whether there are restrictions on how you can use the money. After all, SSDI is a federal program meant to replace lost income for people who can no longer work due to a qualifying disability. But does that mean the government gets a say in what you spend your benefits on?
The short answer is that you can generally spend SSDI benefits however you see fit, but there are some practical and legal considerations to keep in mind. Understanding these can help protect your financial security and ensure continued eligibility for benefits, and our Collin County, TX SSDI benefit attorneys can help.
Are There Legal Restrictions on SSDI Spending?
Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a need-based program, SSDI is an entitlement program funded through payroll taxes. This means that when you are approved for SSDI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not track or limit how you use the money as long as you are not engaging in fraud.
How To Improve The Chances Of An SSDI Approval
Getting your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application approved can be a challenging process. The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that approximately 78% of SSDI applications are denied. However, you can significantly improve your odds of being approved or winning your appeal by taking proactive steps with the assistance of our highly experienced Texas SSDI attorneys. Our lawyers at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd are standing by to assist with your case and seek the benefits you need.
Check that You Meet Eligibility Requirements
Understanding and meeting specific eligibility requirements is crucial to receive your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. These requirements include:
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Meeting the minimum work requirements. You must show that you worked for a certain number of years, usually five of the last 10, and earned the minimum work credits for Social Security (SS). SS work credits are based on your yearly earnings.
How Can An SSDI Attorney Help With My Appeal?
A disabled American who paid Social Security taxes during their career may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You may be entitled to file for SSDI if a disability prevents you from working for a year or more, such as for back injuries, heart disease, cancer, bipolar disorder, diabetes, and other severe conditions and illnesses.
Unfortunately, some SSDI applications are denied. If your claim is rejected, you may despair and wonder what your rights are. A Texas SSDI attorney may assist if your claim is denied. Contact The Law Offices of Coats & Todd today for a free consultation.
What are Your Social Security Decision Appeal Options?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows taxpayers to appeal a decision it made, such as an SSDI claim denial. The process is as follows:
Can I Still Qualify for SSDI Benefits in Texas if I Work Part-Time?
If you are in Texas and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you might wonder whether working part-time could affect your eligibility. While SSDI recipients are allowed to work under certain conditions, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict rules about income limits and reporting requirements. There are several concepts with their own acronyms that describe various guidelines and limitations. To avoid jeopardizing your benefits, speak with a knowledgeable Texas SSDI benefits attorney at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd who can explain your options.
What Is Considered Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
The SSA limits how much money you can earn monthly while still qualifying for SSDI benefits. In 2024, the "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) limit was $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If you earned more than that from your part-time work, the SSA might consider you capable of working at a more significant level, which could disqualify you from SSDI benefits. While some SSDI recipients work part-time to supplement their income, you need to make sure you do not exceed the SGA limit to still receive your benefits.
Can I Get SSDI Benefits if I Never Worked?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to people whose disabilities prevent them from working. However, SSDI is funded through payroll taxes, so applicants typically need a work history in which they paid into the Social Security system to be eligible. SSDI is not typically made available to people who never worked, but other options, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may provide financial assistance for disabled individuals without a work history. To review your options, speak with a knowledgeable Plano, TX SSDI lawyer.
What Are the SSDI Work Credit Requirements?
When you pay Social Security taxes through employment, you earn something called a work credit, which is based on your yearly earnings. In 2025, a worker earns one credit for every $1,730 in wages, with a maximum of four credits per year. There is a minimum required number of work credits you must earn to qualify for SSDI, depending on your age when you become disabled.
How TERI Helps Terminally Ill People Get SSDI Quickly
When you have been diagnosed with an end-stage illness, you should be free to focus on enjoying every moment you can. The last thing you should be worried about is how you will cover the cost of living. Some people prefer to keep working as long as possible to maintain a sense of normalcy. Others have already been too sick to work for some time before receiving a diagnosis and cannot wait any longer for disability benefits. When someone with a terminal diagnosis applies for SSDI, his or her application can be flagged as a TERI case and sent for expedited processing. Your application should be treated with urgency at every stage in the SSA’s disability determination process. This should mean that you can start receiving disability payments quickly.
A compassionate Dallas, TX SSDI lawyer can help you through the application process and advocate on your behalf. Trying to go through the TERI application process alone can be strenuous, especially if your illness is progressing rapidly. A lawyer can help make sure things go as smoothly as possible.
Is it Hard to Get SSDI While Going Through Cancer?
Cancer and the medicine used to treat it can be debilitating. Many people who are fighting cancer - or who have elected to stop treatment - require around-the-clock care and assistance with the normal activities of daily living - they certainly cannot keep working outside the home. However, it can be frustratingly difficult to get the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits you need as quickly as you need them. Cancer tends to come on very suddenly. Many people are unable to work due to the effects of chemotherapy or radiation within a week of diagnosis. Your need for benefits may be urgent, but delays in the SSDI application process are common. An experienced Dallas, TX SSDI lawyer can fight for you to receive the disability benefits you need while you focus on fighting cancer.
You Must Show That Your Disability Will Persist For a Year
To qualify as disabled for the purposes of receiving SSDI, you must be able to show that you will be unable to work due to your cancer for at least one year. Depending on the type of cancer you have, your individual prognosis, and the prescribed course of treatment, you may or may not meet this requirement. Some forms of cancer - especially when caught early - can be successfully treated with surgery or a short course of radiation. In these cases, a person might not be too sick to work for more than six or eight weeks rather than a full year.
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