Does Social Security turn down every disability case the first time ?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

The answer to this question is no. The social security administration does not turn down every case the first time, though this is a commonly held assumption that you tend to read in many forums and which has grown into something of a myth.

In actuality, there is no set number of times that a social security disability or SSI claim has to be denied for an allowance (i.e. an approval) to be granted, nor is every disability claim automatically turned down the first time. Some individuals have medical conditions that immediately meet the medical disability criteria for something known as a disability listing (in the social security administration's list of impairments, often referred to as the blue book).

In these cases, the medical evidence that has been gathered for a claimant's case is particularly strong and allows the disability examiner working on the case to quickly determine that their accumulated evidence satisfies the listing--such as the listing for bipolar disorder--referred to by SSA as bipolar syndrome--or one of the musculoskeletal listings, such as disorders of the spine.

In most other cases, the combination of medical evidence and work history information will point to medical, vocational, education, and age factors sufficient enough to establish that the claimant's condition prevents them from returning to work activity. And this conclusion would result in an approval on an initial claim.

Actually, the statistical data for many years suggests that about thirty percent of all initial claims are allowed (i.e. approved for disability benefits) on a national average. This flies in the face of the assumption that social security turns down all cases on the first disability application.

It does mean, however, that seventy percent of all applications for disability are denied. Meaning that the majority of individuals who are seeking to receive social security disability or SSI disability benefits will probably have to appeal their denial and, possibly, obtain representation from a disability attorney.

Additional information on related topics:

How does Social Security Disability Representation work?

Social Security Disability Lawyers - Fees and Representation Information

Should you ask a Disability Lawyer About Their Win Rate?

The Social Security Disability Representation Fee and What a Lawyer is Paid

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

Will you be notified if you receive an Approval for Social Security Disability or SSI

Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

What is the Chance of Winning an SSA appeal for disability?

Social Security Notice of Denial for a Disability Application or Appeal

What does a Disability Lawyer do to help you?

Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

Reconsideration of a Social Security Disability denial- what does it involve?

Applying for disability benefits in New Jersey

When you Apply for Social Security do you get Medicare?

How do you Apply for SSI?

How to Apply for Disability - Where do I go to apply for disability ?

Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

Applying for Disability - what are the rules?

The Social Security Disability Approval Process

How to appeal your denial for disability

Will Work Cause You To Lose Your Disability Benefits?

How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

How to Qualify for Disability - How severe must a condition be?

Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

How to File for SSI

When you file for disability and have both Mental and Physical Conditions

Social Security Disability Mental Testing

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability?

How Disabling Does A Condition Have To Be For Social Security, SSDI Benefits?

When will a disability lawyer decide to take your case?

If you get denied on a disability appeal can you get another appeal?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Maryland

How Do I Find Out How My Disability Appeal Is Going?

Can a child receive disability benefits for asthma ?

Congestive Heart Failure, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

How Long Will It Take To Get Approved for Disability?

Are you allowed to work at all if you get Social Security disability or SSI ?

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials