If you apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disability benefits, you may be denied. In some cases, there can be minor issues that mean the process can’t go forward until you correct them, such as paperwork errors. But there are also more significant denials, such as when the SSA seems to indicate that you are not disabled – and yet you believe you are.
So how can you improve your chances? You already know the definition of disability, which is that it has to last for at least 12 months. You know that you can’t work in your current condition, which is why you’re seeking benefits. But how do you show this to the SSA?
Providing medical evidence
The best thing that you can do is to gather the appropriate medical evidence to submit with your claim. According to the SSA: “Medical evidence is the cornerstone of the disability determination.”
Exactly what medical evidence you need may differ depending on the case. If you have a back injury, you may have x-rays that can demonstrate the location, the severity, the type of injury and much more. There are other solid types of evidence, such as the results of CT scans or a note written by your physician.
One thing to consider is that your medical team should be able to predict how quickly you will recover, if you will at all. Getting them to make this type of statement and providing it with your medical evidence can help to demonstrate that you are going to be disabled for 12 months or more.
A complicated process
Needless to say, applying for disability benefits can be complex. Make sure you know what legal options you have.