Filling out and submitting Form SSA-16, Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, may not be enough for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to grant you Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Rather, this application may also require you to provide proof of your injury’s or illness’s existence. So, with that being said, please continue reading to learn how to best document your injury or illness for a stronger SSDI benefits case and how an experienced New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help supplement your application with this evidence.

What is the SSA’s definition of disability?

Of note, the SSA has a strict definition of disability, which is referenced to determine who is and is not entitled to SSDI benefits. Specifically, they define disability as a physical or mental impairment that prevents an individual from participating in substantial gainful work activity.

Further, this impairment must be medically determinable and expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. It also must hinder an individual from returning to their previous work or adjusting to other work. Overall, each year, the SSA updates its list of physical and mental impairments eligible for its benefits program.

How do I best document my injury or illness for a stronger SSDI benefits case?

Simply put, you must document your injury or illness to demonstrate to the SSA that you meet its fixed definition of disability, and subsequently its uncompromising guidelines for SSDI benefits eligibility. From here, the SSA may evaluate all evidence you included in your application before making its final determination. This is to say that the more evidence you offer, the stronger your case may be.

Arguably, the most important category of evidence you may provide is your medical evidence. That is, copies of your medical records; doctor’s reports on your injury or illness; test results for your injury or illness; and more. On top of this, you may also submit proof of your settlement agreement if you pursued a personal injury claim for your incurred injury or illness. Or, proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation benefits you received for your incurred injury or illness.

This is not to mention the other forms of basic evidence the SSA asks of you, such as your birth certificate, W-2 forms, U.S. military discharge papers (if applicable), and completed Adult Disability Report. Ultimately, an absence of any of these pieces of proof may weaken your SSDI benefits case, or worse, have it dismissed altogether.

If you are looking for more clarity on the matter, please allow a skilled New Jersey SSDI attorney to offer it to you. Schedule an appointment with the Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.