When you apply for Social Security disability, the main chore is proving that you are disabled. To do so, you must have supporting evidence that shows how your condition has impacted your ability to work and your life in general.
While providing documentation, such as medical records, physician notes, test results, surgical notes, and treatment records is essential, written statements of support or detailed statements about how your condition has impacted you can make a significant impact on the outcome of your claim.
Your Physician and Your Social Security Claim
Having the support of your physician for your disability claim is very important. The treating physician’s opinion is given much credibility when it comes to Disability Determination Services making a decision. You want to make sure you have a physician who is supportive of your claim because your doctor can make or break your case.
By completing a residual functioning capacity (RFC) form, which details your functional limitations and how your condition has impacted you, your physician can add a lot of support to your claim. If your doctor maintains detailed records, that will also help provide the necessary evidence. Your physician is the key supporter that you need to support your claim.
Your Family and Your Claim
Your family can testify at the hearing about how your life has been impacted by your medical conditions. After all, they know more about you than anyone else. They can confirm if your mobility has been impacted, if you cannot do things that you once done and how you need additional help in your daily routine. Your family is aware if you need help preparing meals, getting dressed, grooming, cleaning your home, getting to and from medical appointments, taking care of your financial obligations, and doing regular tasks.
Your Former Bosses and Coworkers
Those who have worked with you will know how you could do your job before your medical condition and they will also know how your ability to do your job has changed. As an example, if your job requires you to stand on your feet 12 hours a day to operate a machine and you now must reposition every 2 hours, your supervisor and coworkers can testify to that. They can also confirm if your ability to bend, lift, carry, and walk has been impacted. They will also know if it is now impossible for you to perform your past job duties or other jobs at that facility.
A Social Security Attorney or Advocate
Your Social Security attorney or advocate will scan over your medical records, all the notes and the documentation to see how your life has changed since you suffered the injury or illness. With their help, you can have more success with your claim. Your attorney can gather all the needed information and put it together to prove your argument that you are disabled.
Your attorney can question you and those familiar with your situation to set up the right atmosphere and to show support for your claim. Your attorney can also indicate how your supporting evidence and witnesses prove you are disabled.
