People who cannot work due to medical challenges may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. They can receive monthly payments that help them cover basic expenses while they cannot work. Professionals become eligible when they have proof of a debilitating medical condition and an adequate work history, based on the age when they apply.
There is no guarantee of success when applying. The Social Security Administration (SSA) scrutinizes applications for disability benefits carefully. People generally need to show that they have conditions that should last 12 months or longer and that are serious enough to completely prevent them from working.
Certain medical conditions can be severe in some cases and relatively benign in others. As such, a diagnosis alone is often insufficient to prove that a person is eligible for SSDI benefits. How can applicants validate the claim that they require SSDI benefits because they cannot work?
Applicants need compelling medical records
In cases involving universally debilitating medical conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diagnostic records could theoretically be adequate when people apply for SSDI benefits. If a condition is terminal or progressive, the SSA may immediately recognize its severity.
However, given that many conditions present in a variety of forms, people seeking SSDI benefits may need much more thorough medical documentation. Paperwork outlining a treatment plan and detailing an individual’s symptoms could help support their claim that they cannot work whatsoever because of their medical challenges.
In cases where existing records are minimal, applicants may need to secure additional documentation. They might schedule a functional capacity evaluation or similar test to prove the severity of their condition. A functional capacity evaluation is a multi-hour test that evaluates various physical capabilities and documents how a medical condition affects an individual’s daily life and basic functions.
The records of such testing are typically beneficial during the initial application process. People who did not submit adequate documentation when initially applying may need to gather more documentation and schedule testing so that they have enough evidence during the appeals process.
SSDI applicants already adjusting to life with debilitating medical conditions may find the application and appeals process overwhelming. Obtaining support while seeking SSDI benefits may help reduce stress levels and increase the chances of success.