SSDI Denial & Disability Lawyers Near Me – Indiana, IN

Introduction: Why an Indiana-Focused SSDI Guide Matters

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is federal, but every claimant’s journey is local. Residents of the State of Indiana (IN) file applications through Indiana field offices, attend hearings in the SSA’s Indianapolis Office of Hearing Operations, and often rely on regional medical providers to supply evidence. Unfortunately, according to SSA data released in its Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, fewer than 35 percent of initial SSDI applications filed nationwide are approved. Hoosier claimants fare about the same, which means thousands of Indiana workers must appeal each year.

This 2,500-plus-word guide explains—in strictly factual, easy-to-follow language—how to protect your rights after an SSDI denial. We will cite authoritative sources such as the Social Security Act, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and published court opinions, and we will provide local details for Indiana claimants. While the information slightly favors claimants, it remains balanced, professional, and evidence-based.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

1. What SSDI Provides

SSDI pays monthly cash benefits to insured workers who are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death (20 CFR §404.1505).

2. The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation

• Are you working above SGA?

Is your condition severe under 20 CFR §404.1520?

• Does it meet or medically equal a Listing in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1?

• Can you perform past relevant work?

• Can you adjust to other work in the national economy?

You have the right to submit medical evidence, obtain representation, and appeal any unfavorable determination at each stage (Social Security Act §205(b), 42 U.S.C. §405(b)).

3. Procedural Due-Process Rights

• Notice of the decision and an explanation of the reasons.

• Opportunity to be heard before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

• Representation by an attorney or qualified non-attorney representative (20 CFR §404.1700 et seq.).

• Right to review by the Appeals Council and, ultimately, by a United States District Court.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

1. Medical Insufficiency

The most frequent ground is lack of objective medical evidence. SSA adjudicators rely heavily on treatment notes, imaging, and laboratory results. In Indiana, claimants often seek records from large health systems such as IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, and Community Health Network. Missing or outdated documentation invites denial.

2. Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment

Under 20 CFR §404.1530, refusal without “good reason” to follow treatment that could restore ability to work can sink a claim. Financial hardship, common among Hoosiers in rural counties, may qualify as “good reason,” but it must be documented.

3. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

If you earn more than the SGA level ($1,550 per month for non-blind claimants in 2024), SSA presumes you are not disabled. Self-employment—prevalent among Indiana’s farming and gig-economy workers—often triggers this denial rationale.

4. Duration Requirement

Illnesses expected to improve in under 12 months do not satisfy the duration rule in 20 CFR §404.1509. Seasonal injuries from Indiana’s construction and manufacturing sectors frequently raise this issue.

5. Technical Eligibility Errors

• Insufficient quarters of coverage

• Failure to cooperate with consultative exams

• Missed deadlines (60 days to appeal: 20 CFR §404.909)

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations You Should Know

Key Statutes

• Social Security Act §223 (42 U.S.C. §423) – Establishes the SSDI program.

• Social Security Act §205(b) – Guarantees hearings and Appeals Council review.

Key Regulations

• 20 CFR §404.1505 – Defines disability.

• 20 CFR §404.1520 – Five-step sequential evaluation process.

• 20 CFR §404.909 – Time limit (60 days) to request reconsideration.

• 20 CFR §404.970 – Appeals Council review standards.

Important Court Precedents Impacting Indiana Claimants

• Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S.Ct. 1148 (2019) – Vocational expert testimony need not be supported by written data if substantial evidence exists.

• Scrogham v. Colvin, 765 F.3d 685 (7th Cir. 2014) – Seventh Circuit (which includes Indiana) requires ALJs to build an “accurate and logical bridge” between evidence and conclusions.

Attorney Fee Regulations

Under 42 U.S.C. §406(a) and 20 CFR §404.1730, attorney fees are generally capped at 25 percent of past-due benefits, not exceeding $7,200 for fee-agreement cases. Indiana attorneys must also be licensed by the Indiana Supreme Court pursuant to Indiana Admission & Discipline Rule 22.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

Step 1: Read the Denial Letter Carefully

The letter will list the medical and technical reasons for denial plus the 60-day deadline to appeal. Mark that date on your calendar immediately.

Step 2: File a Request for Reconsideration (if the denial was at the initial level)

• Submit SSA-561 online or at your local field office.

• Attach new medical evidence, such as recent MRI scans from IU Health Methodist Hospital.

• Consider a protective filing to preserve your filing date if you need time to gather records.

Step 3: Request an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request a hearing via SSA’s online appeals portal. Indiana hearings are most often held at: Indianapolis Office of Hearing Operations 151 North Delaware Street, Room 400 Indianapolis, IN 46204

• Prepare a pre-hearing brief summarizing how your impairments meet Listings or limit functional capacity.

• Update treatment notes from Riley Hospital for Children (for child claims) or VA Medical Center (for veterans).

Step 4: Appeals Council Review

Unfavorable ALJ decision? File Form HA-520 within 60 days. The Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, will review whether the ALJ erred in law or fact.

Step 5: Federal Court Action

You may file a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern or Northern District of Indiana within 60 days of the Appeals Council’s denial (see 42 U.S.C. §405(g)). Court review is limited to the administrative record but can remand a case for a new hearing.

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Indicators You Need an Indiana Disability Attorney

• Complex medical conditions (e.g., combined physical and mental impairments).

• Past relevant work that SSA claims you can still perform.

• Multiple prior denials or missed deadlines.

• Need for expert testimony to rebut a Vocational Expert (VE).

How a Local Lawyer Adds Value

• Obtains supporting statements from Indiana treating physicians who know SSA’s residual functional capacity forms.

• Cross-examines VEs following Seventh Circuit standards (Scrogham).

• Negotiates on-the-record (“OTR”) decisions to avoid hearings when evidence is overwhelming.

Fee Structure and Costs

Attorney fees are contingency-based and approved by SSA. Typical out-of-pocket costs include medical record fees and expert reports. Indiana’s cap on per-page medical record charges (Ind. Code §16-39-9-3) helps keep costs predictable.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Key SSA Field Offices in Indiana

Indianapolis SSA Office 575 North Pennsylvania Street, Room 685 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 866-592-2353 Fort Wayne SSA Office 2122 Lincolnway Court Fort Wayne, IN 46819 Phone: 877-223-6061 Evansville SSA Office 2300 North First Avenue Evansville, IN 47710 Phone: 866-931-5325

Medical Providers Often Cited in Indiana SSDI Cases

• Indiana University Health (statewide network)

• Eskenazi Health (Indianapolis safety-net hospital)

• Deaconess Health System (Southern Indiana)

Vocational & Rehabilitation Resources

Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Can supply evidence on inability to work.

• WorkOne Indiana Career Centers – Useful for documenting failed work attempts.

Additional Authoritative Links

SSA Disability Benefits Home SSA Appeals Process Overview Full Text of the Social Security Act

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change, and every case is unique. Consult a licensed Indiana attorney for advice about your specific situation.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.