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Why Your Arkansas Disability Claim May Be Denied

If you live in Arkansas and you have a disability that has caused you to be unable to work and earn an income as you normally would, you may be experiencing significant financial stress. It can be overwhelming when bills keep arriving, and you have no way to pay them.

If you find yourself in this situation, you may be considering whether or not to file a claim for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration, or you may have already filed such a claim. While everyone hopes their claim is approved as quickly as possible, the truth is that many are denied on the first application. Let’s take a closer look at why that might be.

What Types of Benefits Are Available?

As you may or may not know, the Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits, which may be available depending on your circumstances. These include:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance: SSDI benefits are disability benefits that the Social Security Administration may provide to applicants who have a disability that has caused them to be unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more, and who are “insured.” Being insured does not mean that you have to have a specific type of insurance policy. Instead, to the Social Security Administration, being “insured” means that you worked at a job for a sufficient length of time and regularly paid employment taxes from that job into the Social Security system. The maximum amount of SSDI benefits that an applicant can receive in 2026 is $4,152.
  • Supplemental Security Income: As with SSDI benefits, SSI benefits are intended for applicants with a disability that has prevented them from working for one continuous calendar year or more. Unlike SSDI benefits, however, those seeking SSI benefits need not be insured. Instead, they must have income and resources below a certain limit established annually by the Social Security Administration. In 2026, the maximum amount of SSI benefits that can be received each month is $994 for an individual, and $1,491 for a couple.

If you have applied for either of these types of benefits and been denied, it is likely because your claim did not satisfy one of the elements listed above. Let’s take a closer look at each of those elements together.

What Are the Elements of a Claim?

As we’ve discussed, each claim will have a few common elements, which include:

  • A disabling condition: In determining whether a particular condition is a disability for the purpose of awarding benefits, the Social Security Administration often consults its listing of impairments, commonly known as the Blue Book. This guide covers a wide range of conditions and their associated symptoms. Sometimes a claim may be denied because it does not meet a Blue Book listing. If this is the case, a request for reconsideration may be necessary. At that time, you can submit additional medical proof regarding your condition and how it affects your daily life.
  • Unable to work for a year or more: Sometimes, an individual may have a severe disability, but that disability may resolve in a fairly short amount of time. In this case, the disabled individual may seek short-term disability benefits or other available benefits, but will typically not be approved for Social Security disability benefits.
  • Earning too much income: The Social Security Administration intends for disability benefits to be financial support for those who are otherwise unable to earn an income. To the Social Security Administration, earning an income is sometimes referred to as engaging in “substantial gainful activity.” If you can engage in substantial gainful activity and earn an income, despite your disability, the Social Security Administration may deny your claim.

These are only a few of the more common reasons why disability claims are often denied in Arkansas. While receiving a denial may be distressing and unfortunate, you should know that if this happens to you, you are not alone. Many claims are denied on the initial attempt but are subsequently approved following appeal.

If you are interested in pursuing an appeal or filing a claim for the first time, you should know that the law can be complicated and confusing at times. Having a legal team on your side that knows and understands the law can make a tremendous difference. At American Disability Action Group, we’re here for you.

Call American Disability Action Group

An American Disability Action Group, we know that life with a disability can be challenging in many ways. You may feel ready to pursue a claim for benefits, but unsure how to take the first step. That’s why we’re here to help. Our talented and experienced team of attorneys understands every aspect of the disability claims process, and we will always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you soon.

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By American Disability Action Group | Posted on February 13, 2026