Why Is It So Hard to Get Disability?

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Vital Social Security Disability Information for People in Baltimore, D.C., and Virginia

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits shouldn’t be difficult, but the vast majority of initial applications are denied.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has high standards partly because it is always under pressure to ensure that everyone who receives benefits truly deserves them. These high standards create significant roadblocks for anyone who needs benefits to pay their bills and stay above water when health problems cut off income.

The process involves thousands of rules, pages of forms, and requirements to submit hard evidence that your medical issues absolutely rule out nearly all work. Not only that, but the system almost always has backlogs of cases and shortages of people to process them.

You can’t just apply and hope for the best. You need to know what the SSA looks for and what goes into a successful disability application.

Our Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore disability advocates know how to make your case to Social Security.

Mathis & Mathis Disability Advocates helps you figure out if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We help you figure out what to do if your application was denied.

At Mathis & Mathis, we have helped thousands of people navigate this process for more than 30 years. We can help you get the best possible shot at winning benefits.

We don’t charge a fee until you win benefits.

Social Security Disability Is All We Do.

What Makes It Hard to Get Disability Benefits? How Social Security Defines Disability.

Not every health problem can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

You need to show that:

Your health problems make it impossible to work at your current or most recent job.

You cannot simply switch to another career field or type of job because your health would prohibit that, too.

The health issues that stop you from working will continue to affect you for a year or more.

And you have to back up each of those statements with evidence. SSDI benefits are not meant for people with temporary health conditions.

You need to make an overwhelmingly convincing case that you will be out of work for a significant amount of time and that you need financial relief to stabilize your life.

Some applicants get denied because they have a hard time describing how their health problems affect them in their day-to-day lives. It’s also easy to overestimate your capabilities, and that won’t help your application.

Complicating an already complicated situation is the fact that Social Security often has a backlog of around a million disability claims to process. It usually takes several months—six months or longer recently—for them to answer your initial application.

Your claim goes in front of a busy claims examiner with stacks of cases to go through.

An experienced disability advocate can help you get a clear picture of your need for benefits across to the people reviewing your case.

If you can’t work because of your health, let us help you make a strong case for benefits that can steady your life and help you manage your health.

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What Can Help My Social Security Disability Benefits Get Approved?

When you say that your health issues are making it difficult to work, these are the kinds of evidence you need to back it up:

Medical records relating to your diagnosis

Information about treatments you’ve received and how your medical conditions have responded

A list of medications you have been prescribed

Medical documentation of your symptoms

Verification of your work history and payments into Social Security

Evidence that shows disruptions to your work like missed days or reduced hours

Statements from employers and coworkers who have seen you struggle to complete work duties

Statements from friends and family members who have witnessed your health struggles

A journal that documents how your symptoms have affected your daily routine

Having a disability advocate can also make a big difference.

Your advocate helps you gather the important evidence, but they also:

Help you fill out Social Security Disability application forms

Make sure that you avoid common mistakes that cause denials and delays

Keep you informed about important deadlines

Answer your questions and keep you updated on your case

Support your appeal if your claim is denied

Prepare you for a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ)

Follow up to make sure you are receiving all the benefits you were awarded

At Mathis & Mathis, we don’t just tell you how to apply and wish you good luck.

You keep the same dedicated case manager for as long as it takes for your application for benefits to be approved, and Disability Advocate Andrew Mathis will personally represent you at your disability hearing.

Winning Social Security Disability benefits is rarely easy, but we support your application every step of the way and give your claim the attention it deserves.

These benefits can help you bring peace and stability back to your life. Don’t leave something this important to chance.

Contact Mathis & Mathis Disability Advocates.

Applying or Appealing, We Can Help

Whether you’re in the initial stages of applying, appealing a denial of benefits, or wondering if you qualify, Mathis & Mathis can help.

Social Security Disability FAQs

Because applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated, you likely have many questions about the process. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Disability FAQs »

Visual Guide: How to Pass a Continuing Disability Review

For a breakdown of the most important parts of how to pass a Social Security continuing disability review, see this easy-to-scan chart from Mathis & Mathis Disability Advocates:

CDRs Visual Guide »

Hear from a Mathis & Mathis Client

“I could not recommend Mathis & Mathis highly enough. They were kind, patient and thorough. No question was too small. They were timely in responding to me. While the process of applying for and obtaining disability is a long, tough road, Mr. Mathis made everything so much better. If you are thinking about applying, please do and know you will be taken very good care of . . . just like family.”

— Tracey Jones, Google Reviews