In the unfortunate event that the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your initial claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, then you should not hesitate in filing an appeal. For this, you will want to ensure that you gather enough documentation to support your appeal. Such documentation will provide additional proof that you require SSDI benefits that may not have been as evident in your initial claim. Read on to discover what documents are needed for your appeal and how a seasoned New Jersey SSDI appeals lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you in collecting them.
What are the necessary documents for my SSDI appeal?
First of all, the SSA may deny your initial claim if they believe you do not meet the criteria for SSDI benefits. Their reasoning for this belief may be due to any one of the following:
- They may believe that you did not properly adhere to your prescribed medical treatment to heal your disability, injury, or illness.
- They may believe that your disability, injury, or illness will not last for more than 12 months.
- They may believe that your disability, injury, or illness will not prevent you from working.
- They may believe that your disability, injury, or illness was caused by alcohol or drug abuse.
So, your job for your appeal is to provide enough evidence that rebuts the SSA’s initial conclusions. That is, you will want to show that you do meet the criteria for SSDI benefits so that they can reconsider their ruling. An important piece of evidence is a statement by your doctor that explains the nature of your disability, injury, or illness and how it limits your ability to work. However, for an appeal, additional information from your doctor may be necessary, such as the following:
- Your doctor should state the specifics of your medical diagnosis.
- Your doctor should state the specifics of your clinical findings, otherwise explained as the symptoms that are associated with your diagnosis.
- Your doctor should state the specifics of your laboratory findings, otherwise explained as the laboratory test results that are associated with your diagnosis.
- Your doctor should state the specifics of your medical history before your diagnosis.
- Your doctor should state the specifics of the medication or other treatment they prescribed to you, your response to it, and their final prognosis.
What else should I do to prepare for my SSDI?
Once you collect the appropriate documentation and file your appeal, then your application will be reviewed by someone who did not take part in the initial review. But if this gets denied again, then you will have to bring your appeal to an Administration Law Judge. This is essentially a trial, so you should not proceed any further without employing a proficient New Jersey SSD attorney.
