Publication date: 24.04.2025
Zhanna Grigoryan is an attorney specializing in social, medical, and immigration law. She assists with retirement benefits, disability claims (SSI, SSDI), participation in the IHSS program, and legal status adjustment in the U.S. With years of experience, she works with precision and care, guiding clients through every step — from consultation to appeal. If you’ve been denied, don’t know where to start, or how to submit documents — Zhanna will find the right solution.
Receiving Disability Benefits (SSDI) for a Chronic Illness After Initial Denial
General Situation
In the U.S., obtaining disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a complex, multi-stage process. Even with serious illnesses, applicants are often denied at the initial stage due to incomplete documentation, incorrect filing, or formal failure to meet SSA (Social Security Administration) criteria.
Attorney Zhanna Grigoryan handled a case where the applicant suffered from a chronic condition limiting their ability to work, but the SSA denied the claim, citing “insufficient severity of condition.” The case required an in-depth development of medical evidence, involvement of specialist physicians, and a careful appeals strategy.
Resolution Steps
Step 1: Initial Denial Review and Reason Analysis
The SSA typically denies applications for two main reasons:
- The applicant does not meet the disability criteria listed in the “Blue Book”;
- Medical documentation does not prove the person is unable to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
Zhanna identified the following issues in the SSA’s denial:
- Insufficiently detailed medical reports;
- Absence of a report from a specialized physician;
- Incomplete description of functional limitations in daily life.
Step 2: Collecting Additional Medical Documentation
The key to a successful disability case is evidence, not just a diagnosis. Zhanna organized:
- Reports from specialized doctors (including a neurologist and a rheumatologist);
- Preparation of an RFC form (Residual Functional Capacity), where the doctor details what the patient can and cannot do;
- A psychological evaluation, since the illness also affected the patient’s emotional state.
Letters from employers were also collected, confirming the patient could not even perform light office tasks due to ongoing fatigue, pain, and cognitive problems.
Step 3: Filing a Reconsideration Appeal
Zhanna prepared an appeal package that included:
- Updated medical reports;
- Documented limitations in daily activities;
- Chronology of worsening condition;
- A detailed cover letter addressing each point in the SSA denial;
- And the SSA-3441 form, which includes updates about the applicant’s condition and new medical info obtained after the original application.
The appeal was filed within the deadline (60 days after the denial). The reconsideration resulted in another denial — a common outcome, as only 10–15% of cases are approved at this stage.
Step 4: Preparing for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing
This is a key stage: a hearing where the applicant and their representative (in this case, Zhanna) can personally present the case before the judge.
Preparation included:
- Coaching the applicant for SSA judge questions;
- Writing the Claimant’s Statement;
- Preparing for a potential medical expert summoned by the SSA;
- Zhanna also submitted case law from similar past rulings.
Step 5: Hearing Outcome and Benefit Approval
- Inability to perform SGA was proven;
- Chronic and progressive nature of the condition;
- Medical limitations confirmed by two independent specialists;
- Convincing RFC report;
- Monthly SSDI benefits awarded;
- Automatic enrollment in Medicare Part A and B.
Case Documentation: Official SSA-3441 form used in the process.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Question
Do I have to be completely unable to work to get SSDI?
Answer
No, you don’t have to be bedridden. The SSA assesses whether you can perform any substantial gainful activity, not just your previous job. If your condition prevents you from holding any steady paid employment — that qualifies for SSDI.
Question
What if I have a diagnosis but still got denied?
Answer
A diagnosis alone does not guarantee approval. What matters are medical proofs of how the condition impacts your ability to work: RFC forms, specialists’ reports, and documentation of everyday functional limitations.
Question
Can I work and still receive SSDI?
Answer
Yes, SSA allows limited work activity under the Ticket to Work program, provided your income doesn’t exceed the SGA threshold ($1,550/month in 2025). You may also go through a trial work period without losing your benefits.
This case shows that even after an initial denial and unclear criteria, it is possible to achieve a fair decision. The key is a structured, evidence-based, and legally sound approach. Zhanna Grigoryan uses her professionalism to turn around even the most difficult chronic illness cases, where applicants had lost hope — proving that legal help can make all the difference.
