You may qualify for disability benefits if you have heart disease and are therefore unable to work. The US Social Security Administration (SSA) offers benefits to disabled individuals who meet certain criteria to assist them in covering the costs of their basic needs.
The SSA also has a history of denying initial applications. If the SSA denies your claim, that doesn't mean there's no chance of receiving benefits at all. You may proceed by filing an appeal. Keep reading to learn more about the process and how professionals may assist you.
Filing An Appeal For Disability Benefits With Heart Disease
A claimant or a personal representative of a claimant (such as a lawyer) may file an appeal when the SSA denies an application for benefits by visiting a local SSA office, calling the SSA's toll free number, or filing an appeal through the SSA's website.
The appeal process may involve the following steps. When the SSA issues an approval, the process stops, and there is no need to move on to the next step.
- Reconsideration, which is essentially a second review of your claim involving parties who didn’t review your claim the first time around
- A hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- An Appeals Council review
If, after the Appeals Council review, you still don’t receive an approval, you may then file a lawsuit to initiate a federal court review.
How To File a Successful Appeal For Disability Benefits With Heart Disease
Consider the following suggestions when appealing the SSA’s decision. They may help you strengthen your appeal:
- Contact your doctors and other such medical professionals to request more medical documentation of your condition
- Complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment, which involves a doctor (either your own physician or one the SSA connects you with) reviewing your condition and assessing your ability to work
- Continue following treatment plans, and gather evidence that you are doing so
You must also file an appeal relatively quickly. You have 60 days from the time the SSA denies your claim to file your appeal. If you miss the deadline, except in unique circumstances, you likely won’t be able to receive benefits.
Why Was My Heart Disease Claim Denied?
The reasons the SSA may have for denying a claim can vary from one case to another. That said, common reasons the SSA denies claims include:
- Medical evidence doesn’t suggest a claimant’s heart disease is likely to last at least 12 months and/or result in their death
- A claimant hasn’t submitted sufficient medical evidence indicating their condition is severe enough to prevent them from working
- A claimant has financial resources that allow them to cover the cost of their basic needs without relying on disability benefits
Get Help With Your Appeal
Strongly consider reviewing your case with a disability lawyer when filing an appeal with the SSA. An attorney’s expertise could potentially play a significant role in your appeal’s outcome. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with a disability attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case.
