Understanding Disability and Denial
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly financial assistance to individuals who can no longer work due to a severe, long-term medical condition. Funded by payroll taxes, SSDI only covers workers who have earned enough work credits and meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) strict definition of disability.
Why Are So Many Claims Denied?
The denial rate for initial SSDI applications remains high across the country. According to data from the Social Security Administration, only 35.2% of initial SSDI claims were approved in 2022, while the remaining 64.8% were denied. Following appeals, approximately about 50% of denied applicants ultimately receive benefits, but this can take months or even years. The approval process is not just stringent — it’s highly technical, with claims frequently rejected over details unrelated to the person’s actual medical condition.
What Qualifies as a Disability Under Federal Law?
- A physical or mental impairment that prevents substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- A condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
- The inability to adjust to other types of work based on age, education, and job experience
Valid Claims Are Often Denied. Here’s Why.
- Lack of medical evidence: Missing documentation, incomplete test results, or vague physician notes weaken a claim.
- Missed deadlines: The SSA imposes strict timeframes for submitting forms and appeals. Late responses often lead to automatic denials.
- Errors in paperwork: Incorrect or inconsistent information in the application can invalidate the claim, even if the disability is genuine.
- Failure to follow treatment: If an applicant does not follow prescribed treatments without valid justification, the SSA can question the severity of the condition.
- Substantial gainful activity (SGA): Earning more than the SSA’s income limit, currently set at $1,550/month for non-blind individuals in 2024, results in automatic disqualification.
The complexity of this process discourages many people from pursuing their rightful benefits — but it doesn’t have to. The Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio, experienced disability denial attorneys, know how to navigate denials, build strong appeals, and reverse unjust outcomes.
Why You Need a Disability Denial Attorney
The Social Security Disability process is full of red tape, complex regulations, and long periods of waiting. For many applicants, the system quickly becomes an exhausting maze—riddled with unclear communication, dense paperwork, and repeated rejections. Denials don’t just delay financial support; they wear people down emotionally and mentally.
After a claim is denied, the appeals process becomes even more technical and time-sensitive. Missing a filing deadline or failing to present sufficient medical records can mean starting from scratch. That’s where experienced legal guidance changes the outcome.
The Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio focus solely on helping clients through disability claim denials. As dedicated disability denial attorneys, they step in when the system fails to respond fairly and effectively. With a track record of aggressive representation and deep knowledge of Social Security Disability law, they provide the strategic advantage needed to turn a denial into an approval.
What can a knowledgeable attorney do that others can’t? Consider the core benefits:
- Navigate Social Security Disability law and regulations: An attorney interprets complex federal standards and tailors arguments that align with SSA requirements.
- Compile and present strong medical evidence and documentation: Without solid medical records and clear symptom documentation, claims fail. Attorneys ensure every detail supports your case.
- Meet important appeal deadlines and procedures: Timing rules are strict. A single missed step can reset the process. Attorneys stay on top of critical dates and handle technical filings.
- Represent you during hearings with Administrative Law Judges (ALJs): When the process reaches a hearing, persuasive legal representation makes the difference between another denial and an approval.
Handling a disability denial alone means learning the law and mastering bureaucracy while grappling with health challenges. Choosing the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio means gaining a professional advocate who confronts the system with precision and persistence.
Comprehensive Support When Disability Claims Are Denied
At the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio, our role as your disability denial attorney centers not only on advocacy but also on execution—we handle every facet of your appeal, positioning your case for success from day one. Whether the denial arrived from Social Security or a private insurer, our legal team takes immediate action, building a strategic approach rooted in experience and precision.
The procedural complexity of a denied disability claim can overwhelm claimants, but we navigate that landscape daily. With deep legal knowledge and familiarity with both SSD and LTD systems, we drive your appeal forward, one documented fact and legal argument at a time.
What Our Legal Services Include
- Filing Social Security Disability (SSD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) appeals: We manage all appeal submissions, ensuring compliance with federal and policy-specific deadlines and requirements.
- Evaluating case strength and maximizing disability compensation: Legal analyses uncover weak points and lost compensation opportunities—then close the gaps to strengthen your claim.
- Preparing clients for hearings and cross-examinations: We simulate hearing scenarios, coach you on testimony delivery, and anticipate common objections from investigators or judge panels.
- Identifying and countering insurance company tactics: From independent medical reviews to surveilling claimants, we recognize insurer playbooks and respond with tailored legal countermeasures.
- Managing full communication with SSA or insurers on client’s behalf: You won’t need to interpret bureaucratic language or field follow-ups—our team handles every interaction, every deadline, every submission.
Each service is delivered with strategic intent. We don’t just react to a denial—we dismantle the rationale behind it. Our firm enters every appeal process armed with evidence, legal precedent, and clarity of purpose. As your disability denial attorney, we commit to repositioning your claim for approval and restoring the support you’re owed.
Our Process: How We Help You Fight Back
Every denied disability claim presents a unique set of challenges. At the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio, we don’t use templates or guesswork. As experienced disability denial attorneys, we follow a structured, hands-on process to challenge denials, secure evidence, and win benefits for our clients. Here’s how we do it—step by step.
Step 1: Free Initial Consultation with a San Diego-area Attorney
The first conversation costs nothing. You meet directly with a local disability denial attorney—not a case manager. We review what happened, ask targeted questions, and determine whether your situation is eligible for aggressive legal action. We listen, but we also lead the conversation with purpose.
Step 2: Case Review and Medical Evidence Assessment
Next comes a full evaluation of your claim. We carefully examine the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) reasoning for the denial, identify gaps in your medical records, and contact treating physicians for supporting documentation. If necessary, we bring in medical or vocational experts to develop opinion letters that strengthen your case.
Step 3: Filing Appeals or Reconsideration Requests
Within tight filing deadlines, we prepare and submit all paperwork for reconsideration or a hearing request. Accuracy, clarity, and legal precision make the difference at this stage. We argue your case using SSA’s own criteria and precedents to demonstrate why the original decision must be reversed.
Step 4: Representation at Hearings (ALJ Level and Beyond)
Most claims move to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level after reconsideration. Our attorneys don’t just show up; they prepare you for every question, file pre-hearing briefs, and present compelling oral arguments. If necessary, we pursue Appeals Council review and even federal court litigation without hesitation.
Step 5: Ongoing Advocacy to Secure Past Due and Ongoing Benefits
Winning a claim doesn’t stop with a favorable decision. We push through the red tape to make sure you receive correct back pay and monthly benefits. We track payments, correct errors, and keep working alongside you if your condition worsens or if continued eligibility becomes an issue.
- Consultation: No-cost, attorney-led evaluation
- Evidence Analysis: Deep review and expert documentation
- Appeal Filing: Legally sound, prompt, and forceful responses to denials
- Hearing Representation: Skilled litigation led by disability denial attorneys
- Benefit Recovery: Full pursuit of all owed and future benefits
From day one, the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio take control of the process and push for measurable results. You won’t need to guess the next step—we’ll lead you through it, one strategic move at a time.
Why Clients in San Diego Choose Us
San Diego residents looking for a disability denial attorney consistently turn to the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio. The reason goes beyond legal skill — they’re drawn to a firm that understands the nuances of local disability procedures while bringing national-level strategy to every claim.
Our office has deep roots in the San Diego legal community, but we don’t just work here — we win here. With over 30 years of legal experience focused on Social Security Disability (SSD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims, we’ve built a record of success that continues to draw attention across California.
From Del Mar to Chula Vista, clients choose us not because we promise results, but because we consistently deliver them. Thousands of resolved cases demonstrate how determined advocacy backed by legal depth changes lives.
What Sets the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio Apart
- Trusted by disability clients throughout the greater San Diego area — Our clients include veterans, healthcare workers, construction professionals, and others who’ve faced denial and needed experienced help to overturn it.
- Experienced in California-specific SSD and LTD procedures — We navigate local SSA field offices and insurer requirements with confidence, understanding how regional policies affect your claim’s outcome.
- Thousands of claims successfully resolved — Our attorneys have handled high volumes of complex and contested disability cases with a resolution rate that speaks for itself.
- Rated highly for compassionate advocacy and legal excellence — Client reviews and peer ratings consistently highlight our communication, honesty, and strategic strength during tough legal battles.
What matters more than numbers? The people behind them. Every resolved claim represents a real story — a worker getting income restored, a family regaining stability, a person reclaiming their dignity. That’s the kind of impact the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio delivers as your dedicated disability denial attorney in San Diego.
Your Questions Answered: Disability Denial Appeals Explained
What if I missed the deadline to file an appeal?
Missing the appeal deadline doesn’t always close the door on your case. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) imposes a 60-day limit to file an appeal after a denial notice, there are exceptions. If you can show good cause — such as severe illness, hospitalization, or receiving the notice late due to incorrect mailing — the SSA may accept a late appeal. The Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio can help you gather the necessary evidence and draft a compelling explanation that supports your request for an extension.
Can I apply again if I’ve already been denied disability benefits?
Yes, you can reapply after a denial, but doing so without addressing the reasons for the initial denial will lead to the same result. A better route may be to file an appeal if you’re still within the eligible period. Appealing keeps your original application date, which could mean more back pay. But if an appeal is no longer possible, starting a new application with corrected documentation and stronger medical evidence can improve your chances. Our disability denial attorneys thoroughly review why a claim was rejected and craft a more persuasive case on your behalf.
How much does a disability denial attorney cost?
There are no upfront fees. Disability denial attorneys, including the team at the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless you win your case. If you succeed, the attorney fee is typically 25% of the back pay awarded, up to a federally capped amount — currently set at $7,200 for Social Security Disability claims. These fees are regulated and approved by the SSA, ensuring full transparency and fairness.
How long does the appeal process take in San Diego?
Timelines vary depending on how far into the appeals process your case goes. If you’re submitting a Request for Reconsideration, expect a decision within three to five months. If your appeal advances to a hearing before an administrative law judge in San Diego, the wait time can extend to 12-18 months. Factors like case backlog, required medical evaluations, and additional documentation requests can influence these timelines. With a disability denial attorney managing deadlines and follow-ups, your case moves more efficiently through the system.
Ready to Turn Your Denial into Approval?
Denied disability benefits don’t mark the end of the road. With the Law Offices of Dennis A. Dascanio on your side, you gain the power of decades of focused experience in disability denial law. Our team knows how to uncover what went wrong in your claim, gather compelling medical evidence, and fight for the benefits you are entitled to receive under the law.
Working with a knowledgeable disability denial attorney means more than just legal advice—it means advocacy, strategy, and persistence. We don’t wait for results; we pursue them. Every case we accept is a case we’re prepared to win, and every client becomes part of a process sharpened by thousands of successful claims across California.
Let’s build your case, present the facts correctly, and secure your benefits. It all starts with a free initial consultation. No cost. No obligations. Just answers.
Our experienced San Diego team is ready to review your claim denial and guide you every step of the way.