23 plain-English guides on denials, written from public Social Security Administration sources: SSA.gov, the Listing of Impairments, POMS and 20 CFR. Every figure carries the year it applies to, because these rules change and an undated number is worse than no number. Start anywhere in the list below, or use the navigation above to move to a different stage of the process.
- Appealing a 'Not Severe' Denial at Step 2 of the SSDI Process
SSA said your impairment is not severe at step 2. Learn what that finding means and which records can force a fresh severity review at reconsideration.
- Should You Appeal an SSDI Denial or Reapply?
Learn why appealing an SSDI denial protects your back pay and filing date under 20 CFR 404.900, while reapplying risks administrative res judicata.
- Appealing an SSDI Denial Based on Non-Cooperation
Denied SSDI for failure to cooperate? Learn how to appeal under 20 CFR 404.1518, prove good cause for missed exams or questionnaires, and reopen your claim.
- Ask Your Doctor for a Medical Source Statement
A medical source statement from your treating doctor can anchor your SSDI appeal. Learn how SSA weighs it under 20 CFR 404.1520c and what to ask for.
- SSA Says Other Work Exists: Fighting a Step 5 Denial
Did SSA deny your SSDI claim at Step 5? Learn how to fight back at your ALJ hearing by cross-examining the vocational expert on job numbers and demands.
- Challenging a Past Work Denial in Your SSDI Appeal
Learn how to challenge an SSDI Step 4 denial on appeal under 20 CFR 404.1520(f) by correcting past work descriptions and cross-examining vocational experts.
- Denied After a Consultative Exam: Challenging the Report
A short consultative exam sank your SSDI claim. Learn how to rebut its conclusions on appeal with treating records and a medical source statement.
- Denied for Alcohol or Drug Use: Appealing DAA
Denied SSDI over alcohol or drug use? Learn how DAA materiality works under 20 CFR 404.1535 and what evidence can overturn the denial on appeal.
- Denied Because SSA Says Other Jobs Exist
A Step 5 denial turns on hypothetical questions, not new diagnoses. Learn how the burden shifts to SSA and how to challenge the expert at your hearing.
- Denied Because SSA Says You Can Do Past Work
Fighting a Step 4 SSDI denial means correcting how your old job was classified under the 2024 rules and challenging the vocational expert at hearing.
- Denied Because SSA Calls Your Drug or Alcohol Use Material
Learn how to appeal an SSDI denial when SSA claims drug or alcohol use is material under 20 CFR 404.1535 and SSR 13-2p by proving disability during sobriety.
- Denied for Not Following Prescribed Treatment
Denied SSDI for not following prescribed treatment? See the good cause exceptions in 20 CFR 404.1530 and SSR 18-3p, and how to document them on appeal.
- Denied for Not Following Treatment? SSA's Good Cause Rule
Denied SSDI for not following prescribed treatment? Learn how to prove good cause under 20 CFR 404.1530 and SSR 18-3p to reverse the denial on appeal.
- Denied Because SSA Never Got Your Records: What to Do
Your provider never sent records and DDS denied you anyway. Learn how to document the gap and file the missing evidence with your reconsideration.
- Denied SSDI Because You Were Working: How to Appeal
Denied SSDI because of working? Learn how to show the work stopped, was an unsuccessful attempt, or fell under the SGA limit when you appeal the denial.
- Denied Because Your Condition Won't Last 12 Months
Learn how to appeal an SSDI durational denial under the 12-month rule. Discover how to use medical records to prove continuous impairment and win your claim.
- Getting Medical Records Free for Your SSDI Appeal
How to get free or low cost medical records for your SSDI appeal using HIPAA fee caps, patient portals, and SSA record requests under 20 CFR 404.1512.
- How to Read Your SSDI Denial Letter
An SSDI denial letter follows a predictable structure. Learn what the determination paragraph, the SSA-L444 explanation, and the evidence list each tell you.
- Medical vs Technical SSDI Denials: Key Differences
Technical SSDI denials reject eligibility without a medical review; medical denials come from state DDS examiners weighing evidence. Here is how each works.
- Technical Denial Appeals: Insured Status and SGA
Learn how to appeal an SSDI technical denial for insured status or SGA, address wage reporting errors and work-credit issues, and file Form SSA-561.
- Technical vs Medical Denials: Which SSDI Denial Did You Get?
A technical SSDI denial turns on work or credits, and a medical denial turns on the evidence. Learn to read the notice and appeal each one the right way.
- Using VA Medical Records in Your SSDI Appeal
VA treatment notes and claim exam reports are strong SSDI evidence. Learn to download VA records free on VA.gov and how 20 CFR 404.1504 treats VA ratings.
- Why SSDI Claims Are Denied: The Most Common Reasons
SSA denies most first-time SSDI applications for a handful of repeatable reasons. Learn the technical and medical grounds behind denials and how to respond.