General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is very difficult to admit, but I'm facing homelessness, and I need your help. [View all]kath
(10,565 posts)Their impairment(s) have to render them unable to perform any significant work for a continuous period of 12 months, when they have been compliant with recommended treatment. So many applications are for conditions that are nonsevere, or do not meet the duration requirement, or conditions that are likely to respond to treatment such that they become nonsevere, or at least not sufficiently disabling as to meet SSA criteria. Treatable illnesses/impairments don't meet the listings. The DDSs receive LOTS of such applications, which are *rightfully* denied.
Another very common reason for denial at the initial level is "insufficient evidence". If the applicant and his/her treating doctors don't submit records and other necessary evidence after months have gone by, then the case is appropriately denied. many times the applicant only *then* wakes up to the fact that the evidence really IS required, and they finally get the records sent in or go to the CE on reconsideration or appeal level. At that point, of course, yeah, with the appropriate information NOW in hand to make a thorough evaluation of the person's condition, the initial denial may get reversed. Doesn't mean that anything malicious was done on the part of the Agency in any way at the initial level.
Another reason for a glut of applications for nonsevere conditions is that some states used to ( and may still) require that EVERYONE (or at least every child) applying for Medicaid or some other programs HAD to apply for SSI, even when their impairment was so mild as to clearly have no chance of meeting SSA disability criteria. Lots of "nonsevere" denials in those states at that time.
And to imply that SSA *deliberately* doesn't send the required communication to clients is just wrong.
Bottom line, a lot of cases are denied at the initial level because they should be. Nothing nefarious going on, just SSA rules and the listings being appropriately followed. Might be nice if the bar was lowered such that people didn't have to be quite so disabled in order to get a check, but people at the DDSs have to follow the rules as they exist now (judges can do some hand-waving and make whatever decision they want, without necessarily having a decent grasp of the medical issues involved). A decent system of HEALTHCARE (not insurance) in this country would help a whole hell of a lot.