DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

  It's hard to get SSDI because the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict rules, requiring strong medical proof you can't work, not just a diagnosis, with low initial approval rates (around 30%) due to insufficient evidence, incomplete applications, failing to follow treatment, or not meeting technical work credit rules, compounded by an under-resourced SSA system causing delays and potential errors .   Key reasons for difficulty: Strict Definition of Disability : It's not just about having a condition; you must prove it prevents you from doing any substantial work for at least a year or leads to death, requiring extensive documentation on how it limits you.   Disability claims are hard to prove.   Social Security disability (SSDI) claims are often denied due to: Insufficient Medical Evidence : Many claims fail because the medical file is too thin, lacks detailed records, or doesn't link the condition to work (functional) ...