Why is it so difficult to get disability benefits?

The reputation of the Social Security Disability Benefits system is that of a difficult, long-winded and arduous process. It is associated with long waiting times, appeals procedures and tight frameworks that seem unfair against people suffering from some serious conditions. Therefore, ‘social security disability lawyers near me’ is usually the thing most applicants look for following a denial. 

It is hard enough to go through the initial application process, gathering all of the relevant information required, only to then suffer a denial. Many people end up feeling dejected and helpless, not knowing where to turn next. Unsure of how to go about finding a lawyer even with the information found here. So, just why is it so hard to get disability benefits? Let us look through a few of the reasons below.

Dwindling cash and increased applications

In recent years, the process for applying for disability benefits has been made even more difficult due to a simple case of overdemand and not enough cash available. The more applications there are, the smaller the pot becomes – and, unfortunately, increasing numbers have stretched the amount of money very thinly.

There have been several financial crises in recent times that have all put pressure on the economy. So, for many of those applying for disability benefits, it is simply the case that they are denied almost immediately – and very often, it will have been processed wrongly. It is only going to get harder in the future too if reports in the press are to be believed about proposed changes. 

The process has been made harder to access payments quickly

Just as the previous statement reveals, the whole disability process has been tightened up in light of the economic pressure, so that it is not as quick and easy to receive payments for disability benefits. 

This is to alleviate the strain on the disability system so that applicants are forced to prove their eligibility over a longer period, which prevents immediate payouts and helps the Social Security Administration to be sure they meet all of the criteria to qualify.

Hidden disabilities

It is frustratingly much harder to go through the process for those applicants suffering from ‘hidden disabilities’, or conditions which are not physically the most immediately obvious. They are often accused that they ‘look like there is nothing wrong with them’ and so it can be harder for a decision-maker to recognize their eligibility. 

For some applicants with these conditions, it might be a mental illness they are suffering from or an illness that manifests itself in ‘flare-ups’ rather than constant symptoms. Or, it can often be the case that their primary condition has resulted in a second ailment that prevents them from working. 

For instance, if they have developed severe depression or anxiety that prevents them from functioning within a working environment, based on their suffering from a primary condition, which could be anything from chronic pain to a neurological condition.

Therefore, you can see how many ways make the disability benefits system incredibly hard to gain from. However, going into it with eyes wide open can often make all the difference – and it is highly advisable to pursue the appeals process, as it is considered to have a high success rate the further along you continue to go with it. 

Additional resources for special needs families: 

• Cerebral Palsy Family Network
• Helping an elderly relative
• Financial Assistance for People with Disabilities
• Fighting for disability