Denied SSDI? You're not alone — and you're not done.
Roughly 2 out of 3 initial Social Security Disability claims are denied. The single biggest reason isn't your condition — it's how the claim was filed. Call now and a licensed advocate will tell you, in plain English, whether you have a real case.
We don't file your claim for you. We make sure it doesn't get rejected.
Penny Pincher partners with a network of licensed disability advocates and attorneys. On a free 5-minute call, they'll review your situation honestly and tell you the next step — even if that step is “don't apply yet.”
Honest eligibility check
We walk through SSA's 5-step sequential evaluation with you: work credits, current earnings vs. the SGA limit, duration, severity, and medical evidence. No fluff — if you don't qualify, we'll tell you.
Find the holes before SSA does
Most denials come from missing medical evidence, an unfiled function report, or a job description that hurts the case. We flag the gaps that get claims denied at Step 4 and Step 5.
Connect you with a representative
If your case is strong, we connect you with a licensed disability advocate or attorney. By federal law, their fee is capped at 25% of back-pay or $9,200 — whichever is less, and only if you win. Nothing out of pocket.
Appeal the right way
If you've already been denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration. Approval rates jump significantly at the hearing level when you have proper representation. Don't waste the clock.
Five things SSA actually looks at
Are you working above the SGA limit?
In 2026, if you're earning more than $1,690/month ($2,830 if statutorily blind), SSA will generally find you're not disabled — regardless of your medical condition. This is the first hurdle, and it stops most claims cold. There are exceptions (the Trial Work Period, impairment-related work expenses) — ask us.
Is your condition “severe” under SSA's definition?
SSA isn't asking if you feel sick. They're asking whether your condition significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities — standing, lifting, remembering, concentrating. The Blue Book lists hundreds of conditions; matching a listing exactly is the fastest path to approval.
Has it lasted (or will it last) 12+ months?
The duration requirement is hard. SSA will deny a claim where the condition is expected to improve within a year, even if you're completely disabled today. Terminal conditions are the exception — those qualify for Compassionate Allowance and fast-track review.
Can you do your past work?
SSA looks at the last 5 years of relevant work and asks: could you still do any of these jobs? If your job description on file makes you sound healthier than you are, the claim dies here. The Work History Report is one of the most overlooked forms in the entire process.
Can you adjust to other work?
This is the medical-vocational grid — your age, education, and skills are weighed against what SSA thinks you could still do. People over 50 get more favorable treatment; under 50 faces a tougher bar. A vocational expert at the hearing level can make or break this step.
Four reasons strong cases still get denied
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Skipping medical appointments. SSA wants longitudinal evidence — ongoing treatment, not a one-time visit. Gaps of 3+ months in your records are flagged as proof you must be feeling better.
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Missing the 60-day appeal window. If your reconsideration request lands on day 61, you start over from scratch. The clock starts on the date of the denial letter, not the date you opened it.
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Vague Function Reports. “I can sometimes cook” tells SSA you can stand at a stove for 30 minutes. Specifics matter: how long, how often, how much help, how much pain afterward.
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Going without representation at the hearing. Approval rates at the hearing level are meaningfully higher with a qualified representative. The fee is regulated and only paid if you win — there's no good reason to go alone.
Straight answers
What does the call cost?
Nothing. The consultation is 100% free with no obligation to do anything afterward. If we connect you with a representative and you choose to retain them, federal law caps their fee at 25% of your back-pay or $9,200 — whichever is less, and they only get paid if you win. There is no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Are you the Social Security Administration?
No. Penny Pincher is a private company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Social Security Administration or any federal, state, or local government agency. You can always apply for SSDI directly with SSA for free at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
I was already denied. Is it too late?
Probably not — but the clock is running. You have 60 days from the date of your denial letter to request reconsideration. After that, you generally have to start a new application from scratch and lose months of potential back-pay. Call now and we'll tell you exactly how many days you have left.
What if I'm still working part-time?
You may still qualify, depending on how much you earn. In 2026, the Substantial Gainful Activity threshold is $1,690/month ($2,830 if statutorily blind). Earning under that doesn't disqualify you, but the rules around impairment-related work expenses and unsuccessful work attempts get complicated fast. We'll walk you through it.
How long does the whole process take?
Initial decisions average 3–6 months. Reconsideration adds another 3–5 months. If you have to go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the wait can be 7–24 months depending on the hearing office. Knowing this up front is half the battle — most people give up because they didn't know what to expect.
What information should I have ready when I call?
Helpful but not required: your date of birth, your medical condition(s), the date you stopped working (or reduced hours), the name of any condition that's been diagnosed, and any denial letters from SSA. If you don't have any of that handy, call anyway — we'll work with what you've got.
Stop guessing. Five minutes can save you a year.
A free, no-obligation call with a licensed advocate. They'll tell you honestly whether you have a case, what to do next, and how to avoid the mistakes that delay claims by months.
Tap to call — toll-free (512) 361-5754