Denial Letter

A denial letter is sent to almost 70% of disability applicants. They are generally sent 30 to 90 days after the SSI or SSDI application is submitted to the SSA, although given the backlog of applications in certain parts of the country it could be longer.

The denial letter should contain information about the reasons a claimant has been denied SSI or SSDI, information about the medical documentation which the Social Security Administration used to make their disability decision, and steps to appeal the denial. Appeals must be made within 60 days from the date of the Social Security Disability denial letter, although the Social Security Administration allows five extra days for mailing the notice, which effectively makes it a sixty-five day appeal period.

Although it seems everyone receives a denial letter the first time they apply, this is not true. There are, however, steps you can take to reduce your chances of a denial: have your doctor complete a residual functional capacity form outlining your limitations to work, review the medical vocational allowance process and make sure you understand what you need to prove. Talking to a disability lawyer after you have been denied can also be helpful. They can review your denial and discuss an appeal.