IS DISABILITY HARD TO GET?

Unfortunately, the majority of applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are denied. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average acceptance rate of initial applications is 22 percent, and approximately 63 percent of SSDI applications are denied. (The rest are dismissed for technical reasons).

THE GOOD NEWS: The majority of these denials can be reversed and paid on appeal. Social Security disability benefits are more likely to be on appeal, rather than the application stage.

This makes the process frustrating, long and difficult--even when it shouldn't be, requiring most claimants to seek the help of an attorney to get their benefits started.