Do Claimants Who Keep Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits Over and Over Again Eventually Get Approved?

Q: What does residual functional capacity in a social security disability case refer to?

A: Residual functional capacity is a term that refers to how the Social Security Administration determines how your specific condition affects you. It is an assessment that allows the disability examiner to rate what you could do for employment, based on your condition or injury. Your RFC is then compared to the type of employment you have engaged in the past 15 years and your education level. All these factors help determine your eligibility for social security disability benefits. RFC is not limited to physical impairments. There are often both a physical RFC and mental RFC for claims.

Q: Why are there so many stories about social security disability claimants who have applied numerous times and still keep getting denied?

A: Yes, there are claimants who keep applying for social security disability benefits over and over again and still keep being denied. While it is true that a large number of claimants are denied after submitting their initial applications, many claimants simply apply again instead of appealing. If you were denied for social security disability benefits after you first apply, it is pretty certain that you will be denied again if you submit a new application. The appropriate next course of action after being denied the first time, is to appeal to have your claim reconsidered. If you are denied after reconsideration (and most claims are), you should appeal and make a request for a hearing. Simply submitting a new application over and over again just adds more time to the process for you. By appealing, you will either be approved for social security disability benefits after having your claim reconsidered or get to the hearing phase more quickly. Submitting a new application every time is like going back to the starting line in the middle of a race. You will stall the process by not following the appropriate appeals steps.