Since leaving school, you’ve always had a job and contributed taxes. You had intended to go on this way until you reached the age of retirement, but a debilitating illness has scuppered those plans.
What are you going to do for money now that you are unable to work? It’s possible that you may have legitimate grounds to obtain Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
Unfortunately, these claims are notoriously tricky, and many are rejected in the first instance. Often, this is due to a lack of medical records. Outlined below are a few reasons why your medical history is so important for an SSD claim.
Proving you’re unable to work
It’s one thing to describe how you are feeling, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) really needs hard evidence that you are unable to work. After a scheduled appointment with your doctor, they will be able to diagnose what’s going on and provide documentation of this. Your diagnosis and courses of treatment will be filed. You should be able to access these records and pass them on to the relevant authorities who are overseeing your claim, giving you a higher chance of success.
Showing you are trying to get better
Some illnesses are chronic, while others require a period of rest, recovery and treatment. If your condition falls into the latter category, then you may need to show the SSA that you are doing everything in your power to get better. If they do not have the latest information on your condition or see that you have missed scheduled medical appointments, your application could be rejected.
If you have fallen at the first hurdle of an SSD claim, try not to panic. There are routes of appeal available to you. Seeking legal guidance will give you a better idea of the next steps you need to take.