Social Security Administration SSDI denial rates remain high

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains high denial rates for initial Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications. In fiscal year 2025, the SSA denied 64% of more than 2.2 million initial disability decisions regarding SSDI and SSI claims.

Denial rates remain high throughout the appeals process. At the reconsideration level, 84% of decisions resulted in denials, though administrative law judges approve benefits in approximately half of the cases at the hearing level. Common reasons for denial include insufficient medical evidence, lack of sufficient work credits, or exceeding income limits.

Applicants facing denial are advised to review their denial notices to understand the specific reasoning. For those denied due to insufficient medical evidence, collecting more documentation is critical. It is generally recommended to appeal rather than reapply to preserve the original filing date for potential back pay. Applicants typically have 60 days from the receipt of a denial notice to request reconsideration.