How to get the reason for your denial in writing
When Social Security denies your SSDI claim, they send you a written notice in the mail. This notice is the only official record of why they said no. Read it carefully — it will name the specific reason or reasons, and it tells you what to do next.
If you have lost the notice or it arrived months ago, you can request a copy. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask them to mail you another copy of your denial notice. Have your Social Security number ready. They will send it within two weeks.
The notice will be addressed to you personally and will include the date you applied, the date of the decision, and a section titled "Why We Made This Decision" or similar. This section explains what Social Security found when they reviewed your medical records and work history.
Key Takeaways
- Your denial notice in the mail is the official reason — Social Security does not give reasons over the phone or online.
- The most common reasons for denial are that your condition does not meet Social Security's definition of disability, your medical evidence is not strong enough, or you earn too much money from work.
- You have the right to see all the medical records and documents Social Security used to make their decision by requesting your case file.
- You can challenge the denial by filing a reconsideration request or an appeal, and the important date to do so is 60 days from the date on your denial notice.
The most common reasons Social Security denies SSDI claims
Social Security denies most initial SSDI claims. The reasons fall into a few categories. Understanding which one applies to you matters because it changes what you do next.
Your condition does not meet their definition of disability. Social Security has a specific list of conditions that automatically may have access to — things like stage 3 or 4 cancer, ALS, or total blindness. If your condition is not on the list, Social Security must decide whether it keeps you from doing any work. Many denials happen because Social Security concludes you can still do some kind of work, even if not your old job.
Your medical evidence is not detailed enough. Social Security needs records from doctors who have actually examined you — not just your own description of your symptoms. If your records are old, incomplete, or come from a single visit, Social Security may say there is not enough evidence to prove you cannot work. This is one of the most fixable reasons.
You earn too much money from work. If you work and earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024; this amount changes yearly), Social Security will deny you because you are not considered disabled under their rules. This is called "substantial gainful activity."
You did not follow Social Security's instructions. If you did not return forms they sent you, did not show up for a medical exam they scheduled, or did not provide documents they requested, they may have denied your claim for not cooperating.
How to read your denial notice
Your notice has several sections. The first page usually shows the decision and the date. Turn to the section labeled "Why We Made This Decision" — this is where Social Security explains their reasoning.
They will say something like: "We reviewed your medical records from Dr. [name] dated [dates]. We found that your condition causes [symptoms], but the evidence does not show that you cannot do any work." Or: "We sent you a form on [date] asking for [document]. You did not return it by [date], so we made our decision based on the information we had."
At the bottom of the notice, there is always a section on what you can do next. It will mention reconsideration, appeal, or both. Keep this notice — you will need it if you challenge the decision.
Requesting your full case file to see what they reviewed
Social Security's denial notice summarizes their reasoning, but it does not show you every document they looked at. You have the right to see everything in your file.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and say: "I want to request my case file for my SSDI claim." Give them your Social Security number and the date you applied. They will mail you copies of all medical records, forms, letters, and notes that Social Security received or created during your case.
This usually takes two to four weeks. When it arrives, read through it. You may find that Social Security did not receive a recent medical record you thought you sent, or that a doctor's note was unclear. These are things you can fix if you challenge the decision.
If you are working with a lawyer or representative, they can request your file on your behalf and often get it faster.
What happens if the reason is something you can fix
If your denial was because your medical evidence was incomplete or outdated, you can gather stronger records and file a reconsideration request. This means Social Security will review your claim again with the new information.
If the reason was that you did not return a form or attend an exam, you can usually still file a reconsideration and provide what they asked for. Social Security will then make a new decision.
If the reason was that you earn too much money, you have two paths: you can reduce your work hours or earnings below $1,550 per month and file a reconsideration, or you can wait until your earnings drop naturally and reapply later.
If the reason was that your condition does not meet their definition of disability, fixing it is harder. You would need new medical evidence showing your condition has worsened, or you would need to show that the medical evidence you have actually does meet their rules — something a lawyer can help you understand.
The difference between reconsideration and appeal
You have two main ways to challenge a denial. Reconsideration means Social Security will look at your claim again, usually with new information you provide. Appeal means a judge who did not work on your original case will review it.
You must file one or the other within 60 days of the date on your denial notice. If you miss the 60-day window, you can still file, but you will need to explain to Social Security why you were late.
Most people file for reconsideration first because it is faster and costs nothing. If reconsideration is denied, you can then file an appeal. Some people skip reconsideration and go straight to appeal, especially if they have a lawyer.
When to consider getting a lawyer
You do not need a lawyer to understand your denial or file a reconsideration. But if your case is complex — if you have multiple conditions, your medical records are scattered across many doctors, or you are not sure whether your condition meets Social Security's rules — a lawyer can help.
SSDI lawyers work on contingency, which means they take a percentage of your back pay if you win. They do not charge you upfront. Social Security limits what they can charge: 25 percent of your back pay or $6,000, whichever is less.
You can find SSDI lawyers through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or by searching "SSDI lawyer" in your state. Many offer free consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Social Security deny me without sending a written notice?
No. Social Security must send you a written notice by mail explaining their decision and the reason. If you never received one, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to send it again. Keep the notice — you need it to file a reconsideration or appeal.
What if the reason they gave does not make sense to me?
Request your full case file so you can see what medical records and documents they reviewed. Sometimes the reason becomes clearer when you see what information they had. If you still disagree, you can file a reconsideration or appeal and explain why their decision was wrong.
Does the reason they gave mean I will be denied again if I reapply?
Not necessarily. If you file a reconsideration or appeal and provide new medical evidence, a stronger work history, or corrected information, Social Security may reverse the denial. The original reason matters less than what evidence you can show now.
How long do I have to challenge the denial?
You have 60 days from the date on your denial notice to file a reconsideration request or appeal. If you miss this important date, you can still file, but you must explain to Social Security why you were late. It is best to file within the 60 days.
If I file a reconsideration, will the same person review my case?
No. Reconsideration means a different Social Security employee will review your claim from the beginning. If you then file an appeal, a judge will review it — someone outside the Social Security office who did not work on your original case.