Many social security disability claims are, unfortunately, denied, and insufficient evidence is one of the more common reasons that an application comes back with a rejection letter. If you've just received a rejection for your social security claim, you don't have to stop there; you can build a stronger case by following the steps below.

Check the Reapplication Period

The first thing to do is to check your rejection carefully and find out whether you're eligible to reapply for disability and when. The best time to reapply can vary based on whether you're going after short-term or long-term disability and how many times you have applied before, so check with a lawyer to get timely advice.

Hire a Lawyer

So, your claim was denied for insufficient evidence? An attorney's job revolves around collecting and documenting evidence to support their claims. A social security disability attorney is your best bet, since they should have specialized knowledge in filing long- and short-term disability claims. They have probably also seen many successful and unsuccessful applications before, so they can take an honest look at your rejected application and help you find ways to improve it. 

Collect Your Evidence

During this stage, sit down and make a list of all medical information that's missing or incomplete. Your lawyer can help you recover medical reports from insurers or health care professionals if you were unable to request them on your own. You may also need to use continuing care to provide evidence for your injuries. You'll need to be able to show the severity of your initial injuries, the care steps you've taken with documented dates and expenses, and reports from your doctor showing that you are not able to work or perform specific tasks.

Follow Up Quickly on Requests for Information

If your claim is being reviewed and your reviewer needs more information to make a decision, you may only have a short window to respond. Make sure to provide adequate contact information, including your attorney's information, so that someone can field these requests quickly and make sure that the right evidence is provided. 

Applying for disability is sometimes a frustrating process in which you need to file successively better applications until your claims are approved. A good social security disability attorney can help you to put your best foot forward on your second application so that your claims will have the best chance for acceptance. Speak with a representative from a firm like Cohen & Siegel LLP for further legal advice.