Small missteps can sink a strong case. Here are the avoidable mistakes we fix every week, and how you can stay clear of them during your appeal.
1) Missing the 60-Day Deadline
SSA presumes you received notices 5 days after the date on the letter. Calendar the deadline and file online or by form right away. If life happens, talk to us about good-cause arguments, but don’t rely on them.
2) Reapplying Instead of Appealing
A new application resets your timeline and can cost you back pay. File a reconsideration and keep your protective filing date alive.
3) Gaps in Treatment
Long stretches without care weaken your case. If insurance or access is the issue, we help you re-establish care and document barriers. Consistency matters more than perfection.
4) Vague or Contradictory Testimony
Replace “I can’t stand long” with “I must sit after 10-15 minutes due to burning pain and numbness.” Align what you tell the judge with what’s in your records and function reports.
5) No Treating Provider RFC
Judges need work-related limits, not just diagnoses. We provide concise RFC forms that quantify sitting/standing tolerance, off-task time, absences, and postural limits.
6) Ignoring Vocational Issues
For ages 50+, transferable skills and the Grid Rules can make or break a case. We analyze your past relevant work, define its exertional and skill levels, and challenge VE assumptions.
7) Dumping Records Without Strategy
More isn’t better, relevance is. We curate exhibits, highlight key pages, and write a theory of disability the judge can follow.
8) Waiting to Hire a Lawyer
Early representation helps you set the onset date, shore up weak spots, and avoid contradictions that are hard to fix later.
Avoiding these mistakes can transform your appeal.
Denied SSDI or SSI in Los Angeles?
You Still Have a Strong Case
Most people are denied disability benefits the first time. That does not mean you are not disabled. It means the system is working exactly as it always does. What matters is what you do next.
If you were denied SSI or SSDI, the worst thing you can do is give up, miss your deadline, or start over with a new claim. The right move is to file an appeal and get your case in front of an administrative law judge. That is where many people finally get approved.
With the right legal strategy, your chances improve dramatically.
Get a Free Case Review
Find Out Where You Stand
If you were denied SSI or SSDI in Los Angeles, now is the time to act. The Law Offices of Tony S. Adderley know how to navigate the system, avoid costly mistakes, and fight for the benefits you earned. Call today for a free, no-pressure case review.
Your future income is too important to leave to chance.