More than 60% of initial Social Security disability claims are denied. This is typically the result of issues with the application not the disability.
Social Security expert warns of the top signs your disability claim will struggle
Filing a Social Security disability claim can be a complicated, confusing and drawn out process, which results in over 60% of initial claims being denied. This high rate of claims being rejected at first is generally not the result of someone not being disabled, nor ineligible, rather that there were issues with their application or not making sure that you present your disability properly.
Michael Liner, a disability lawyer who provides advice on social media, shared recently ‘5 Signs Your Disability Claim May Struggle’. “These are the five landmines that sink cases all of the time,” he says.
Expert take on top signs your Social Security disability claim will struggle
Liner, who posts content under the handle ‘backwardshatbarrister’, explains that the top things that Social Security will look at when determining whether you are disabled and will likely make them determine that you are not even if you are.
Firstly, he points out that if you are still working and earning over the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit they cannot approve your claim even if they wanted to. “In plain English, you’re earning above the monthly amount,” that Social Security allows you to receive while still getting Social Security disability benefits. In 2026, the threshold is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for the statutorily blind.
Next, he explains that “if you are not getting consistent medical treatment,” Social Security cannot approve your claim. This is because they have to base their determination on the paperwork in your records. The SSA will end up assuming that your condition isn’t severe enough or it isn’t long lasting enough to qualify for benefits.
Likewise, what your doctor says about your condition must match what you tell Social Security. “This one is huge. Social Security is all about consistency,” Liner points out.
In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have a condition that will last a year or longer. “Disability isn’t about a bad week or even a bad six months,” he says. Your disability must keep you from working for at least a year or more.
The last sign that you may fail in your Social Security disability claim is “if you can still do your past work or a full-time, easier job without major limitations,” Liner explains. If you can answer yes to the question, “can you do ANY full-time work reliably?” then Social Security will not approve your claim.
And an affirmative answer doesn’t matter on whether or not you want to do the job, just that you would reasonably be able to do it.
Liner says that if any of the above apply to you, it doesn’t mean that you should apply, but that you should “fix them before you can realistically expect to win.”
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