# Why are most SSDI claims denied at first? Last updated Jul 19, 2026 Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/steward Published by SSDI Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license Most SSDI applications are denied at the initial level: state Disability Determination Services (DDS) have historically allowed only about one-third of initial claims, meaning roughly two-thirds are denied. ## What the government has said, on the record > "For the past several years, the DDSs have allowed approximately 33 percent of the claims decided that year at the initial level. ... In recent years, the DDSs have allowed approximately 12 percent of disability claims at the reconsideration level; in FY 2016, almost 77,000 individuals were allowed at the reconsideration step." — **Bea Disman**, Acting Chief of Staff, Social Security Administration (career SSA executive; longtime Regional Commissioner, New York Region), [Testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security (hearing on determining eligibility for disability benefits)](https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_090607.html), September 6, 2017. Who said this: - https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony.html *Editor's note: Statistics are as of FY 2016-2017; recent SSA annual statistical reports show initial allowance rates in the mid-30s percent, so the roughly two-thirds initial-denial picture still holds; ellipsis joins two verified sentences from different paragraphs of the same testimony.* Most SSDI applications are denied at the initial level: state Disability Determination Services (DDS) have historically allowed only about one-third of initial claims, meaning roughly two-thirds are denied. Common reasons include earnings above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, impairments that are not severe enough or not expected to last 12 months, insufficient medical evidence, a finding that the claimant can still do past or other work, and technical denials such as insufficient work credits. The SGA earnings threshold and other program amounts change annually with SSA's cost-of-living announcements, so check SSA.gov for the current-year figures. Most SSDI applications are denied at the initial level: state Disability Determination Services (DDS) have historically allowed only about one-third of initial claims, meaning roughly two-thirds are denied. ## Why are most SSDI claims denied at first? Common reasons include earnings above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, impairments that are not severe enough or not expected to last 12 months, insufficient medical evidence, a finding that the claimant can still do past or other work, and technical denials such as insufficient work credits. The SGA earnings threshold and other program amounts change annually with SSA's cost-of-living announcements, so check SSA.gov for the current-year figures. ## Where to verify See the official source cited in the quote block above, and SSA's own program pages at [ssa.gov/disability](https://www.ssa.gov/disability). Program dollar amounts change annually with the cost-of-living adjustment. ## Sources - Testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security (hearing on determining eligibility for disability benefits) — https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_090607.html - SSA — Disability Benefits — https://www.ssa.gov/disability --- Canonical URL: https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/why-most-ssdi-claims-denied-initially Publisher: SSDI Direct Answers — a product of Adolicious LLC Published: 2026-07-21T16:21:00+00:00 Modified: 2026-07-19T00:32:37.175316+00:00 License: Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license © 2026 Adolicious LLC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: SSDI Direct Answers is a private informational website. It is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. For official information visit ssa.gov.