Receiving a denial letter from Social Security after months of waiting feels devastating. You applied because you need help, and being told "no" can make you feel like you've hit a dead end. But here's what most people don't realize: the majority of disability applications are denied on the first attempt, and many of those denials are successfully overturned on appeal.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Common reasons Social Security denies disability applications
- Understanding your denial letter and what it actually means
- The four levels of the appeals process
- Tips for strengthening your case on appeal
- When to consider hiring a disability attorney or advocate
- What to do while you wait for a decision
Why Social Security Denies Disability Claims
Social Security denies roughly 65-70% of initial disability applications. That statistic might feel discouraging, but it also means you're far from alone—and that a denial isn't the final word on your case.
The most common reason for denial is insufficient medical evidence. Social Security needs documentation proving that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. If your medical records are sparse, outdated, or don't clearly describe how your condition limits your daily functioning, your claim may be denied even if you genuinely can't work.
Another frequent reason is earning too much money. For SSDI, you generally can't earn more than $1,620 per month in 2025 (the substantial gainful activity threshold) and still qualify. For SSI, any income reduces your potential benefit and excess resources can disqualify you entirely.
Some applicants are denied because Social Security determines they can still perform some type of work, even if it's not their previous job. Social Security considers your age, education, work history, and transferable skills when deciding whether any jobs exist that you could theoretically perform despite your limitations.
Technical denials happen too—failing to attend a consultative examination, not responding to requests for information, or having a condition that doesn't meet Social Security's duration requirement (your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death).
Understanding Your Denial Letter
Your denial letter contains crucial information, and understanding it is the first step toward a successful appeal. Look for the specific reason or reasons Social Security gives for the denial. Common language includes phrases like "your condition is not severe enough," "you can still do other work," or "we did not receive the medical evidence we requested."
Pay close attention to any mention of what medical evidence was reviewed and what Social Security concluded about your functional limitations. This tells you where the gaps in your case might be. If they say your records don't show you can't work, you'll need stronger documentation. If they say you can do sedentary work, you'll need evidence about why even desk jobs are impossible for you.
The letter will also include your deadline to appeal. For most stages, you have 60 days from the date you receive the letter to file an appeal. Social Security assumes you received the letter five days after the date printed on it, so your actual deadline is 65 days from that printed date. Missing this deadline means starting over from scratch, so mark it on your calendar immediately.
The Four Levels of Appeal
Social Security's appeals process has four levels, and you should generally pursue each one rather than filing a new application. Your chances of approval typically improve at each stage.
Reconsideration is the first level. A different examiner reviews your entire file, including any new evidence you submit. Approval rates at reconsideration are low—around 10-15%—but it's a necessary step to reach higher levels of appeal.
Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is where many claims succeed. You'll present your case in person (or by video) to a judge who can ask you questions about how your condition affects your daily life. Approval rates at hearings are significantly higher, often around 45-55%. This is typically the most important stage of the appeals process.
Appeals Council review comes next if the judge denies your claim. The Appeals Council can grant your claim, deny your request for review, or send your case back to the judge for another hearing. This level has a lower success rate, but it preserves your right to continue appealing.
Federal court is the final option. You can file a lawsuit in federal district court if the Appeals Council denies your case. This requires legal representation and is the most time-consuming option, but some cases do succeed at this level.
Strengthening Your Case on Appeal
The appeals process gives you opportunities to build a stronger case. Start by gathering more medical evidence—recent treatment records, updated statements from your doctors, and any new diagnoses or test results. Ask your treating physicians to complete detailed functional capacity evaluations or write letters specifically describing what you cannot do and why.
Document your daily limitations in a symptom journal. Write down when pain or fatigue prevents you from completing tasks, how long you can sit or stand before needing to rest, and how your condition affects basic activities like cooking, cleaning, and personal care. This contemporaneous record can be powerful evidence.
Consider whether you have any conditions that weren't fully addressed in your initial application. Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety often accompany physical disabilities and can add to your overall functional limitations. Sleep disorders, medication side effects, and cognitive difficulties are frequently overlooked but can be significant.
At the hearing level, preparation is essential. Understand what the judge will likely ask and practice describing your limitations honestly and specifically. Vague statements like "I hurt all the time" are less persuasive than specific examples like "I can only stand for 10 minutes before the pain in my back forces me to sit down."
When to Consider Professional Help
You can navigate the appeals process alone, but many people benefit from professional assistance, particularly at the hearing stage. Disability attorneys and non-attorney advocates specialize in Social Security cases and typically work on contingency—they only get paid if you win, and their fees are regulated and capped by Social Security.
A representative can help gather and organize medical evidence, prepare you for your hearing, present legal arguments about why you meet Social Security's requirements, and question vocational and medical experts who may testify at your hearing.
Statistics show that claimants represented at hearings have higher approval rates than those who represent themselves. If your case involves complex medical issues, multiple conditions, or if you've been denied multiple times, professional help may make a significant difference.
You can find representatives through your local bar association's lawyer referral service, nonprofit legal aid organizations, or by searching Social Security's list of appointed representatives. Interview a few before deciding—you want someone who communicates well and has experience with cases similar to yours.
What to Do While You Wait
The appeals process can take months or even years, which creates real hardship when you're unable to work. Explore every available resource while you wait.
If you haven't already, apply for SSI if you meet the income and resource requirements—you can have pending applications for both SSI and SSDI simultaneously. Look into your state's Medicaid program, as many states provide Medicaid to people applying for disability benefits. SNAP (food stamps) may also be available to help with food costs.
If you have any work capacity, understand the rules about working while your appeal is pending. Earning under the substantial gainful activity limit generally won't hurt your SSDI case, and SSI has different rules that allow you to keep some benefits while working.
Keep attending medical appointments and following prescribed treatments. Gaps in treatment can be used to argue that your condition isn't as serious as you claim. If cost is a barrier, look into community health centers, free clinics, and patient assistance programs for medications.
Most importantly, don't give up. The system is slow and often frustrating, but persistence pays off. Many people who are eventually approved were initially denied—sometimes more than once.
Managing your finances while navigating the disability application process is stressful enough. When your benefits do come through, Purple offers checking accounts designed specifically for SSI and SSDI recipients, with tools to help you track resources and stay compliant with program rules.