Proving you’re disabled to the Social Security Administration

Qualifying for Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income is not a done deal. It takes time and effort, and sometimes a little bit of ingenuity if the Social Security Administration decides to reject your claim. In fact, there is a little-known fact that filers for SSDI and SSI benefits need to know: Most claims for government benefits are denied.

If you’ve been denied any kind of social security benefits related to a disability, it’s time to get to work on proving your case. It’s time to start looking at your claim the way a lawyer would view it, and that involves knowing exactly what a disability is according to the Social Security laws:

A disability claim that qualifies for benefits includes three important elements:

— You’re unable to do the job you were doing before your disability.

— You’re unable to do the job as a result of your disability.

— Your disability will endure for at least one year, and it could result in your death.

It’s also time to gather the medical documents needed to prove your case. Although it might seem clear to you, and anyone else, that you’re very sick and suffering, and there’s no way you can do your job. Sometimes, in order to qualify for a certain disability classification, the Social Security Administration needs a formal diagnosis by a specialist. Yes, you can include your radiographs, MRIs, blood tests, psychological tests, etc., but a formal diagnosis that has been written up by a specialist doctor that is an expert on your condition and describes your condition — and how it prevents you from working and limits your daily life — could be key to getting approved.

Going to an SSD benefits lawyer is always a good idea for those seeking the maximum amount of government benefits available to them. Indeed, most Social Security Disability attorneys know exactly which local specialist doctors to send you depending on your medical condition in order to acquire the medical documentation that will support your SSDI or SSI claims. They will also know other strategies that will boost your chances of getting your claim approved.

Source: FindLaw, “How to Prove Disability,” accessed Dec. 23, 2016