How to Get Denied Without Getting Denied

Art: Robin Mead

Sometimes you will get a letter or website update that says “denied” even though you haven’t really been denied!

A technical denial means they haven’t looked at your medical records. They are running into a different kind of problem. If you receive a denial letter that does not mention a medical decision, you can contact Social Security to confirm why you were denied.

Don’t Panic

There are three kinds of technical denials:

• Denied for SSI
• Denied for SSDI
• Denied for both.

If you just got denied for one, don’t panic! Your other application is probably continuing on. If you are unsure if your other application is continuing on, you can check your online account, or you can call Social Security. Learn more here: What Will I Qualify for? SSI? SSDI? Both? Neither?

SSDI Denial

If you get a technical denial it is most likely because you did not pay enough Social Security taxes. Maybe there is nothing you can do, or maybe there is something you can do: Solutions if you are told you are not eligible for disability

SSI Denial

There are a few reasons why this might happen:

• You haven’t had your SSI interview yet. Sometimes the website says, “SSI denied” even though the person hasn’t even had their interview yet! We don’t know why this happens, but the website may just correct itself on its own. The SSI interview is a bunch of questions about your finances, bank account, rent, cars, houses, and income. If you haven’t had an SSI interview, you can call and request one.

• You didn’t apply for SSI. When you apply, there is a box that asks if you “Intend to apply for SSI.” If you are poor, you want to check this box, or you want to make sure your lawyer is checking this box for you. If you didn’t check the box, don’t worry, just call now and request an SSI interview.

• Something went wrong. If you are poor and you did have your financial interview, but they still denied you, something has gone wrong. It may be something really simple. Like maybe your bank account is just $1 too high. Check out How to Make SSI Stop or Start and Ten Common Reasons SSI Might be Denied and How to Handle If You Are Over the SSI Resource Limit

• You aren’t poor. Yep, you’ve been denied SSI. You can still apply for SSDI.

What Do You Think? 

Updated September 2018. Please comment below with stories, ideas, questions or suggestions. Please let us know if any links on this page stop working. 

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