Concurrent Initial Applications, Different Initial Determinations

I just got off the phone with a potential new Client who received a denial letter and was ready to file an appeal, but luckily for her, her initial application is still pending. Here's why.

She filed concurrent initial applications for both SSD and SSI. She knew she wouldn't qualify for SSD due to lack of quarters of credit and received a technical denial letter just 19 days after applying. However, her SSI application is still pending. We know this because not only did she receive an SSI application summary last week, but she also received additional forms a couple weeks ago.

Additionally, the denial letter was for SSD. This might seem like an obvious sign, but you would be surprised by how many SSD and SSI letters are nearly identical with the exception of one guaranteed identifier: the second line of the title in the upper left corner of the first page. The first line reads "Social Security Administration." The second line will either read "Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance" for SSD, or "Supplemental Security Income" for SSI.

IMHO, I think it would make sense for SS to include a brief explanation in denial letters regarding concurrent application determinations, but that's just me.

This confusion can also occur in the reverse situation: an SSI application is denied quickly on a technicality (excess assets), but the SSD application is still pending.