Are you filing an SSDI claim, but you worry your age may increase your chance of winning?
As long as you are between 18 and 65, you can apply for disability benefits. However, while there are no “official” extra age requirements, the SSDI approval rate by age tells us otherwise.
Statistics show that some age groups have significantly higher chances of winning.
What happens if your age is now among the favored ones? Can you still qualify for financial assistance?
At our disability law firm in Indianapolis, we’ve worked with applicants of different ages, backgrounds, and situations. We always tell them that while age can tilt the scale, other crucial factors also come into play.
In this article, we’ll explain the SSDI age approval ratings. You’ll also learn 6 professional strategies to enhance your case if your age is not in your favor.
How Does the SSDI and SSI Approval Process Work?
Do you have a disability or health impairment that stops you from performing your job?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers different programs to help individuals in your situation navigate these challenging times.
Two of those programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- SSDI is meant for people with a disability who have collected enough work credits through their work history.
- SSI was designed for individuals with a disability who don’t have sufficient work credits and have limited or no resources.
The application process is the same for both programs. You must file a claim (online or at your nearest SSA office). In your claim, you must provide enough solid medical evidence to support your claim and answer a questionnaire with medical, personal, and work-related questions.
Then, the SSA will review your case and notify you about their decision.
What is The SSDI Approval Rate By Age?
If we analyze the correlation between age and SSDI approval rates, we discover that there seems to be a link between them both.
This insight is crucial for people seeking disability benefits, as data reveals distinct trends across various age brackets.
Here is a quick breakdown of SSDI approval rate by age:
- Ages 40-49: Approval Rate-42%
- Ages 50-54: Approval Rate-49%
- Ages 55-59: Approval Rate-57%
- Ages 60-65: Approval Rate-62%
The list stops at the age of 65 because, after that age, you directly qualify for retirement benefits.
Taking a quick look at that list, it’s easy to realize that the older you get, the more chances you have of securing disability benefits.
What happens if you are under 40? Can you still get Social Security disability benefits?
Yes, people in their 20s and 30s can qualify for SSDI, but their chances are significantly low.
Why Do Your Chances Increase as You Get Older?
Do older adults have an age advantage?
The SSA favors older candidates over young ones.
That happens because the institution contemplates that, as we grow older, our ability to learn new skills tends to decrease. We have more challenges securing a new job, and it can be more difficult to adapt to new work environments.
The SSA benefits older applicants because they are most likely to struggle to find a new job and earn a steady income.
Other Factors that Influence Your SSDI Eligibility
Your age band plays a crucial role in your SSDI eligibility; however, other factors significantly influence your case:
- Work history: The SSA will review your work history to ensure you have earned enough Social Security work credits. How many work credits you’ll need to qualify will depend on your age.
- Medical evidence: Comprehensive medical proof is vital to qualify for disability benefits. Detailed tests, diagnoses, medical experts’ opinions, and other documentation can greatly enhance your case.
- The severity of your condition: To secure the benefits, you must have a disability listed in the SSA “Blue Book.” Your impairment must significantly hinder your ability to work and earn a living.
- Compliance with treatment: If, at any point during your case, you quit your treatment, the SSA will consider your disability has improved. Additionally, following your medical treatment shows your commitment to recovering, which will strengthen your case.
- Education and work skills level: The SSA will determine your capacity to perform another job by evaluating your educational background and transferable skills.
Should You Wait to Apply for Disablity Benefits?
Since some age categories have better chances of winning, some wonder if waiting before applying is a good strategy.
Our advice here is not to wait unless you are still able to work.
You should never wait to apply for disability benefits. The process is slow and lengthy; postponing your application will only lead to more delays.
Furthermore, if you wait too long, you might risk losing part of your benefits. The SSA can only pay up to 12 months of retroactive.
The only reason to wait before filing an SSDI claim is if you are waiting for medical test results or diagnosis that will strengthen your case.
Waiting a few weeks to have an easier case is fine. Waiting years to apply in the hope that as you age, you’ll have a better opportunity is often just leaving money on the table.
6 Ways To Increase Your Chances of Winning SSDI
You can’t do anything about your age, but there’s still plenty you can do to build a solid case that leads to financial assistance.
Despite how old you are, you need to focus on assembling a strong case. If the SSDI approval rate by age is not in your favor, these are 6 strategies we advise our clients to follow:
Collect Comprehensive Medical Evidence
Medical proof will be the cornerstone of your disability benefits case.
Regardless of which disability or impairment you have, you need strong medical evidence to support it.
Some health conditions are easier to prove; for example, SSDI arthritis has one of the highest approval rates.
Other impairments, such as mental illnesses or SSDI for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be more challenging to prove and need as much medical evidence as possible.
Before filing your case, make sure you have enough medical documentation to build a compelling case. Medical evidence can include:
- Laboratory test results, such as blood tests, urinalysis, pulse rates, etc.
- Physician or psychologist diagnoses.
- Diagnoses images, such as X-rays, body scans, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, etc.
- Your primary doctor’s notes.
- Medical records.
- Hospitalizations.
- Medication treatments you have or are taking.
- Past or current treatment and rehabilitation.
All the medical documentation and proof you submit must be relevant to your health condition and up-to-date.
Continue Seeing your Doctor
The application process lasts an average of 3 to 5 months. During that time, don’t stop seeing your doctor.
When an applicant suddenly decides to stop attending their doctor’s appointments, the SSA considers that they are cured and no longer have a severe impairment. Therefore, you will not be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
Let’s suppose you have a diagnosis of severe anxiety and must see your therapist once a week. Try attending every session. The same goes for any other type of health condition and doctor.
If you have any gasp on your medical appointments, be prepared to explain it on your SSA application. Maybe you had to stop seeing your therapist due to a lack of health insurance or because your doctor took a short license.
Don’t Quit Your Medical Treatment or Rehabilitation
On the same note, we advise all our clients not to quit their medical treatment.
It can be a medication treatment, physical therapy, seeing a physiatric, or any other type of rehabilitation. You must stick to your treatment for as long as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Quitting your treatment can harm your case in two different ways:
First, the SSA might decide that your disability no longer hinders your ability to work and perform basic life activities.
Secondly, quitting your treatment can be perceived as not putting enough effort into recovery. The SSA benefits applicants who are doing everything in their power to get better and return to work.
Adhering to your medical treatment will make you a more suitable candidate in the eyes of the SSA. Additionally, it is the most efficient way to recover and regain your health.
Avoid Getting Rejected Due To Technicalities
About 30% of annual claims are rejected, not due to medical-related reasons but for technicalities.
The number is overwhelming; it showcases the importance of building an efficient case free from technical errors.
Those errors can be forgetting to submit paperwork, missing a deadline, or not answering a question from the initial questionnaire.
They might seem silly mistakes that can be quickly fixed, but, most times, that’s not true. The SSA receives a vast amount of applications each year; if you miss a deadline or forget a document, they can quickly disqualify you and move on to the next case.
Even if you have a qualifying disability, a minor technicality can rip you off your benefits. Review your claim before submitting it and stick to deadlines and rules to guarantee no mistake harms your case.
Always File For Appear or Second Review
Did your case get rejected? This does not mean the game is over; there are still chances of securing disability benefits.
Many applications get rejected during the initial instance. Thankfully, you don’t need to start over the whole process from scratch. You have other options, such as requesting a second review or filing an appeal.
If you think your case is strong enough and stands a good chance of winning, you can file for reconsideration. At this stage, a new SSA employee will review your case thoroughly and decide whether you qualify for SSDI or not.
Another option is filing for appeal. If you believe you are entitled to disability benefits but got rejected, you can file an appeal to present your case before an Administrative Law Judge.
Although an appeal can take months or even years, you still have a good chance of winning financial assistance.
Facing rejection can feel frustrating and disappointing, but it is crucial you don’t give up and keep fighting for the benefits you deserve.
Work with A Seasoned Disability Lawyer
Hiring an experienced disability attorney is one of the most efficient ways to enhance your case.
If age is not in your favor, you need to do everything within your reach to improve your case and boost your chance of winning.
Disability lawyers know how the system works and what it takes to build a winning case.
They will contact your healthcare providers, collect up-to-date and relevant medical proof, and file a foolproof claim.
Furthermore, the attorney will ensure you never miss an important deadline or forget a document; their experience will guide you to avoid missteps.
This will put your case ahead and give you the freedom to let go of extensive paperwork and legal manners so you can fully focus on your recovery.
Looking for Legal Assistance to Win Your SSDI Case?
Are you filing a disability benefits claim and worry the SSDI approval rate by age is not on your side?
While it is not the most causal factor, we can not ignore that age holds a significant weight when it comes to securing disability benefits.
How can you increase your chances of winning if age pays against you? You must build a flawless, solid case that showcases you are entitled to disability benefits.
Do you need help with your SSDI claim? We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with us. At Pinyerd Law, our dedicated team will provide legal assistance at every stage of the process. We’ll help you file a compelling claim and secure the benefits you deserve.
