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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to over eight million Americans every year who are unable to work due to a disability or medical condition.
While SSDI is an essential resource for many, qualifying can be a long and complicated process. Some applicants may assume they are eligible for Social Security disability benefits because of the severity of their condition, only to be denied months after they’ve applied.
Whether you have found yourself in this situation or you are simply trying to understand your chances before you apply for SSDI, it is important to know that denials are extremely common, and they are not necessarily the end. In this article, we’ll cover the most common reasons for denials as well as what next steps may be appropriate if your SSDI claim has been denied.
1. You Don’t Meet the Work Credit Requirements
One of the most common reasons people are disqualified from SSDI benefits is failing to meet the program’s work credit requirements. Because SSDI essentially functions as an insurance program, eligibility is tied to your previous employment history and the amount of taxes you’ve already contributed to the program. Workers earn credits by paying Social Security taxes through their wages or self-employment income. The number of credits earned depends on how much income is reported each year, with the Social Security Administration (SSA) establishing annual thresholds for earning credits.
For most applicants, qualifying for SSDI requires earning 40 work credits over the course of their career, with at least 20 of those credits earned during the 10 years immediately preceding the onset of their disability. However, the formula isn’t the same for every applicant. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits because they have had less time to build a lengthy work history. For example, an individual who becomes disabled in their twenties or early thirties may be eligible with substantially fewer credits than someone applying later in life.
Thus, individuals who have long gaps in their employment, or who have worked jobs where a portion of their taxes do not go to SSDI, may often find themselves ineligible for SSDI later on, regardless of how severe their disability is. However, it may still be possible for these individuals to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, as SSI has different requirements.
2. Your Disability Doesn’t Meet the SSA’s Definition
Not every medical condition is recognized as a qualifying disability according to the SSA. The SSA uses what’s known as “the Blue Book” as a guide to determine which medical conditions are eligible and which are not. However, even if your medical condition is listed in the Blue Book, your disability will still need to meet other requirements as well. Of these requirements, the most primary details that the SSA will be evaluating are whether the disability is a total disability (not a partial or short-term disability), whether you have endured (or expect to endure) it for at least 12 months, or if you suffer from a terminal condition.
For example, in cases where a person suffers a broken leg or other short-term condition, they usually do not qualify for SSDI unless that condition is expected to last longer than a year and they are unable to work as a result. However, individuals who are diagnosed with long-term conditions such as cancer, advanced heart disease, or a neurological condition, or a similar medical ailment, will often qualify if the impairment significantly limits their ability to work and meets the SSA’s requirements.
3. You’re Earning Above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit
The SSA recognizes that some disabilities do not leave a person completely unable to work at all, but limit their abilities enough to make financial independence impossible. In other words, applicants are allowed to earn some level of income, but if the SSA’s determines that you are earning above what is known as the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, it may assume that you are capable of performing substantial work and are therefore ineligible to receive disability benefits.
For 2026, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals. Keep in mind that the SGA only applies to earned income. Income from investments, retirement accounts, interest, dividends, rental properties, inheritances, or other passive sources generally does not count toward the SGA limit. The primary consideration is whether you are performing work and earning wages or self-employment income above the established threshold.
Other Common Disqualifiers
Although work credits, disability status, and income limits are the most common aspects that the SSA will use to determine eligibility, there are other reasons why your application or benefits may be denied. These can include:
- Failure to follow prescribed treatment without a valid reason, such as the inability to afford care, serious side effects from medication, or certain religious exemptions.
- Applying for benefits when drug addiction is the primary disability.
- Providing inaccurate information about your medical condition, work history, income, or daily activities.
- Being incarcerated or institutionalized
Why It’s Still Worth Talking to an SSDI Lawyer If Your Claim Was Denied
Receiving a rejection letter after months of anticipation can be incredibly discouraging, especially when you are truly in need of medical treatment and have no viable way of supporting yourself. However, even though you may feel defeated, it’s important not to assume that a rejection means you are permanently disqualified from SSDI benefits. In fact, many denials often have very little to do with actual eligibility requirements and more to do with procedural issues, incomplete applications, or insufficient supporting documentation.
For example, in some cases, an applicant may inaccurately report their income, which may make it appear they are making much more than the SGA limit. In other cases, a claimant may have failed to include essential medical documentation of their disability and its effect on their ability to work.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our SSDI Attorneys
For more than 25 years, Gordon, Wolf & Carney has helped individuals navigate every stage of the SSDI process with confidence, including both initial applications and appeals. Don’t let a simple misunderstanding or filing error, such as incorrectly reported earnings, missing medical documentation, or incomplete work history stop you from obtain the disability payments you need. Let us help you review the reasons why your disability claim was denied and understand whether filing an appeal may be appropriate. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.
