Most people who apply for Social Security disability benefits are denied for medical reasons. However, a small percentage of applicants are denied for what the Social Security Administration calls a “Technical Denial.” What does this term mean? This article will educate readers about technical denials, and how to avoid them.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a technical denial is a denial that is determined by non-medical reasons. This means that the application for benefits was denied before the medical evidence was even considered. There are three main reasons that the SSA issues a technical denial to an application. These reasons are:
1) Earning too much
2) Didn’t work long enough
3) Haven’t worked recently
Let’s examine each reason separately:
Earning too much – If an applicant is currently working and has made more than the allowable maximum, a technical denial will be issued. The current income limit for disability applicants is $1,130. This means that if you are currently working and have made more than $1,130, the SSA will issue a technical denial on your application for benefits.
Didn’t work long enough – Some applicants will be denied because they haven’t worked at a job that pays into Social Security for a long enough period of time. The length of time required varies based on the applicant’s age. Simply put, if you haven’t paid enough money into Social Security, you are not eligible to receive disability benefits. These applicants will receive a technical denial.
Haven’t worked recently – Applicants are eligible for Social Security disability benefits for five years after they stop paying FICA taxes. People who file for benefits after the five-year term has expired will be issued a technical denial. At this point, applicants must go through the appeals process to prove that their disability was present before their eligibility expired to receive benefits.
The SSA denies claims under their rules for technical denial based on monetary or eligibility rules. Applications for people who make too much money or who are ineligible for benefits are issued a technical denial before any medical evidence is examined. The best way to avoid having your claim denied is to seek advice from a legal professional. People who deal with disability claims on a daily basis can help you to determine if you are entitled to benefits before you apply. Consult an advocate to greatly increase your chances of success before you file a claim for disability benefits.
