The process for applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can quickly become long and complex. On average, it can take three to five months just to process the application alone. What’s worse, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may just deny your claim if you make the slightest misstep in your application. So, one thing you can do to prevent this from happening is to include all the necessary documents with your application. Read on to discover what documents you must prepare for your SSDI application and how a seasoned New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you in collecting them.
What documents do I need to apply for SSDI benefits?
Undoubtedly, the SSA will require certain pieces of information to be shared before they even consider reviewing your application for SSDI benefits. More specifically, the needed documents that you must prepare include the following:
- Your birth certificate or otherwise proof of your birth.
- Proof of United States citizenship or your lawful alien status, if you were not born in the United States.
- Proof of your marital status, ages of your children, and the presence of dependent parties.
- Your United States military discharge papers, if you served in the military before 1968.
- Your W-2 forms or otherwise your self-employment tax returns from last year.
- Your award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements, or otherwise proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits, if applicable.
- Your Adult Disability Report that states your illnesses, injuries, work history, etc.
- Your medical records (i.e., doctor’s notes, recent test results, treatment history, etc).
- Proof of the date you became incapable of maintaining gainful employment.
- Proof of whether your injuries may be temporary or permanent.
It is also important to note that the SSA will accept copies of certain documents, such as your W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns, and medical records. However, they will require the originals of other documents like your birth certificate.
Why should I hire a New Jersey SSDI attorney when applying for SSDI benefits?
Though an extensive list of documents is provided above, this may only cover a portion of the necessary information that the SSA requires. You should know all the common forms of documentation you may need to provide when applying for SSDI benefits.
However, you should not be expected to approach this process by yourself. This is when a competent New Jersey SSDI attorney can step in and help you prepare these documents. Ultimately, we will not stop working on your behalf until you receive the full amount of benefits that you are rightfully entitled to. We know all the proper channels and have significant experience with this application process, so pick up the phone and give us a call today.
