You've Just Been Denied Social Security Disability--...( Allsup natio...),Health

Allsup, nation's leading disability representation services company, outlines the next steps following SSDI denial

Belleville, Ill. (Vocus) January 5, 2009 -- Receiving a denial letter from the Social Security Administration can be devastating, but people with disabilities have the option to appeal the decision, according to Allsup, which represents tens of thousands of people in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process each year.

"I have heard the stories of people who truly were disabled and could no longer work, but when they got that first denial letter, they just gave up," said David Bueltemann, supervisor of senior claimant representatives. "In Allsup's experience, there can be many reasons to persevere and appeal the decision."

Getting denied SSDI is a common occurrence. More than 2.6 million people applied for disability benefits in 2008, and SSA routinely denies 65 percent of applications at the initial application, or level 1. That translates into roughly 1.6 million people who received denials.

"It's important to realize that the first denial can be among the early steps in getting Social Security disability benefits for many people," Mr. Bueltemann said. "This is a multi-step process that can be complex but rewarding for people who eventually get their entitled disability benefits."

SSDI is a