Why Was My Social Security Disability Claim Denied?

In this consumer related video HaroldSays responds to a consumer's question as to why their disability claim was denied. He also share why consumers do not get answers to their questions or solutions for their consumer related issues or concerns from other government agencies or companies.

Harold: Well, greetings YouTube subscribers, followers and friends. Harold Cameron here, chief of helping people and consumer advocate with HaroldSays. I want to answer a question that I get asked a lot. And here's the question: Mr. Harold, why was my Social Security disability application denied? Or: why were my benefits denied? I applied for some type of government benefits, and I was denied. Or: I have a legitimate claim with a company, or an issue, and why didn't I get an appropriate response and get the help that I needed and deserved.

Well, with the issue of Social Security disability, I want to read a copy of a denial letter that was sent to someone who had applied for disability:

"We're writing about your claim for Social Security disability benefits. Based on a review of your health problems, you do not qualify for benefits on this claim. This is because you are not disabled under our rules."

They took into consideration the person's medical information that was provided. Then they state,

"Under the law, the applicant is responsible for furnishing evidence to support the claim. Although you have been requested to furnish additional evidence, you have not done so. Therefore, determination has been made, based on the evidence on file. The evidence does not show that you are disabled."

And then the individual stated why they thought they were disabled and unable to work; they listed the medical conditions.

"The medical evidence was insufficient to fully evaluate the severity of your combined conditions. We requested additional information from you, which you did not provide. A decision was made, based on the information available to us, which found your condition to be not disabling. If your condition gets worse and keeps you from working, write, call or visit any Social Security office about filing another application".

Here's the condition and terms for getting Social Security disability, SSI, which is a needs-based program, or SSDI, which is Social Security Disability based on what you paid in. You must be legally disabled, and disabled according to their policies and to what they determine and have established are terms of disability. And they have guidelines that they follow. So you must be disabled, you need doctors, evidence, written evidence, doctor's statements, as well as medical data, medical information to corroborate your claim that you are disabled, okay? That you are unable to work, that your condition will last for one year or longer, or that your condition will result in your death.

So you need...

1. medical information, medical validation.
2. you need to be able to prove that your disability will last for a year or longer.
3. that it will result in your death if not just being a disabling condition, but it's a terminal condition.
4. as a result of your disability, you cannot work.

You need to provide all necessary documentation. They will send you forms, as many government agencies do. Complete all those forms in a proper and timely manner, and return them.

But what if you don't understand some of the questions? Ask for help; call and politely ask someone. If you have a caseworker or an adjuster, someone you're working with, call them and ask them for help. You should get the help you need. Be polite, be corteous.

If you find that you're not getting the help you need, the answers that you need, then politely ask to speak with a supervisor. But don’t hower and don't be mean and nasty to these people that work in these government agencies, these are dedicated civil servants. Some people have said to me, "Well, they get paid to do that, that's their job." Their job is to serve you as a citizen or as a consumer. But their job is not to be abused or to be maligned, or howled at or screamed at or sworn at by you as a consumer or citizen. You may be mad or frustrated, and that's understandable. But remember, you get back what you put out. If you're mean and nasty and negative, that's what you're probably going to get back. So be polite, corteous and positive, get people's names, get their information, and make sure that you complete all the required paperwork and you go through all the processes required to get whatever it is you're looking for, whatever issue resolved your disability claim determined and settled.

You know, whether you're working with the IRS, the SEC, the FTC, you know, any government agency, cash-assistance officers, make sure that you do what you're asked to do within the time frame that you're asked to do it in. And if you cannot, or if you don't understand what you're being asked to do, then ask for help.

Now, if you're denied, appeal. Go through the proper appeal process; whether it's asking for a review or reconsideration or appealing. But always get the names and information of the people you're speaking with. And when you get positive results, you get help from that person, that dedicated civil servant in a government agency or a company, write, fax or email a letter appraised to them and to their superiors, to their manager, boss, as well as to the president or CEO of the company or the director of the agency.

Listen, you were really assertive and aggressive in going after your claim to get what you thought you were entitled to. I mean you called, you faxed, you wrote, you did it all. Well, if you get the help and you're treated politely, professionally, and courteously, then you should be as aggressive in letting people know how well you were treated.

If you have any questions or concerns or issue with a government agency or a company, and you don't know where to turn, you don't know what to do, you need help, Google search me at HaroldSays and you'll see all about me on Google. Or email me at harold at haroldsays.com, or go to my blog at www.haroldsays.typepad.com. Reach out to me and I'll respond to you and help you. And if you have a legitimate claim, a legitimate issue or concern with a government agency or a company or corporation, I will help you. We'll work together till we get the appropriate resolution.

I'm here to help you; I love you. I want you to be successful. So if you are entitled to any kind of government benefits or any kind of help from a company, and your complaint is justified and you're not getting where you want to get to and the results you desire, reach out to me and I'll help you. I don't charge, I don't ask consumers for anything, I don't rent, trade or sale or give out any private information. All information you give me is only used to the purpose to which you've given me approval to use it. And that's it.

So, reach out to me, I'll be delighted to help you if I can. Three things I want you to know in closing. 1) God is love. 2) Love always wins, and 3) I love and care about you.

Alright, I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you're having a great day today.