In 2017, Two Million people in the United States applied for disability benefits, but only 762,141 were approved. This means that 4 in 10 applicants who claimed they were too disabled to work, met the Social Security Administrations guidelines for approval.1 To be approved for benefits, you must meet certain criteria. You will be denied if you do not meet the basic non-medical requirements, your medical condition will not last long enough or isn't severe enough, you won't cooperate with the SSA, the SSA cannot get in contact with you, your disability is primarily due to drug or alcohol abuse, there's not enough medical evidence, you've been convicted of a crime, or you have committed fraud. All of these things will get your application denied immediately.
Social Security Benefits: Tips, Tricks, and What to Look out for
Can I settle a claim if I am incarcerated?
Injured workers with dates of injury on or after August 22, 1986, cannot receive workers' compensation benefits while incarcerated. Therefore, BWC will not settle a claim if you are incarcerated or if BWC learns you will be incarcerated. BWC will withdraw from the settlement if it learns of the incarceration during the 30-day waiting period. BWC will not issue the settlement payment if it learns of the incarceration after the 30-day waiting period expires, but before it issues settlement payment. You can only settle if you receive the payment before the date of incarceration. Although these rules do not apply for any claim with a date of injury prior to August 22, 1986, BWC will use discretion when settling a claim for an injured worker who is incarcerated.