The Six Essential Components for Your Social Security Disability Application
Navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process can be a daunting task. The complexities lie not just in understanding the law but also in the meticulous preparation of your application. A well-organized application could be the difference between approval and denial.
Let’s break down the six essential elements you’ll need when applying for SSDI.
1. Employment History
Your employment history is an essential facet of your SSDI application, as SSDI benefits are based on your work credits, which are accrued from your payroll taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) generally requires that you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 5 out of the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
What You’ll Need:
- Detailed employment history, including job titles, duties, and employment dates
- Names and addresses of previous employers
- Earnings records, such as W-2 forms or tax returns
2. Educational Background
Your level of education can affect your SSDI eligibility, especially under the SSA’s “grid rules,” which consider age, education, and work experience to determine disability. A lower education level may make you more likely to be considered disabled if you can’t do your previous work.
What You’ll Need:
- Transcripts or diplomas
- Certifications and degrees
- Educational specializations or majors
- Graduation dates
- Address of school
3. Education/Career Training
The SSA also considers any vocational training or career-related coursework you’ve taken. Special training could either help or hurt your case, depending on whether it makes you more or less adaptable to new kinds of work.
What You’ll Need:
- Certificates from vocational or technical training programs
- Description of specialized training courses
- Any apprenticeships or on-the-job training experiences
- Dates of attendance
- Date of certification
- Phone number and address of institution
4. List of Symptoms Relating to Disability
A thorough list of the symptoms relating to your disability will be necessary for your application, but the symptoms do not have to be listed as medical terms. You can simply describe the symptoms and why they impede you from working.
For example, you can cite “unable to talk” as a symptom of your aphasia without saying “aphasia” on your listing.
5. Medical History Relating to Disability
Your disability-specific medical history is the linchpin of your SSDI application. Here, the focus is on gathering all the evidence that proves you are medically unfit to engage in “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA).
Click on the link above to learn more about what defines “Substantial Gainful Activity” and how it can affect your eligibility for benefits.
What You’ll Need:
- Comprehensive list of doctors, specialists, and medical facilities visited
- Medical tests, treatments, and outcomes
- Prescription medications
- Diagnosis and treatment records specifically related to your disability
- Statements from treating physicians
- Test results such as X-rays, MRIs, and laboratory findings
- Documentation of hospitalizations or surgeries related to your disability
6. Social Security Statement
Ensure that you have access to your social security statement, which you can acquire from your my Social Security account through the SSA.gov account.
A social security statement displays how much you’ve paid into Social Security and Medicare, which informs how much you would receive from the programs if you are approved for benefits.
An Attorney is Your Most Effective Tool
Compiling a robust SSDI application is an intricate process requiring multiple layers of evidence. From your employment history to specialized medical records, each component serves to build a compelling case for your disability claim. Should you find this process overwhelming, seeking the services of an experienced SSDI attorney could provide invaluable guidance and enhance your chances of approval.
Most people are not trained or qualified to navigate the labyrinthine process of acquiring social security disability benefits. Hiring a legal professional to assist you in this process could provide you the edge that you need to gain the approval of the Social Security Administration and to receive the benefits that you deserve.
Click here or call (833) 633-0618 for a free consultation with a qualified social security disability attorney today.