It is not enough to claim that you have a certain injury or physical, mental, or emotional disability that qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Rather, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that you supplement this claim with medical proof. Continue reading to learn what pieces of medical proof you need for benefits and how an attorney experienced in SSDI eligibility in New Jersey, at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, can help you collect it.
What medical proof do I need of my disability onset date?
First of all, your disability onset date is the first date on which you meet the definition of disability, as defined by the SSA, and therefore become unable to work. The importance of proving your disability onset date is to determine the amount of back disability payment you are entitled to, if any at all.
Depending on the nature of your disability, you may provide a different form of evidence for your disability onset date. For example, if your disability stems from a catastrophic accident, then you may provide a copy of a police report that highlights the date and time in which your accident occurred. Otherwise, you may provide a statement by your employer that discloses the date on which you failed to return to work. Or, you may provide medical records that offer the date and time in which your progressive medical condition became severe enough that you failed to return to work.
What other pieces of medical proof do I need for SSDI benefits?
Once you establish your disability onset date, you must still provide other pieces of medical proof that establish that your medical condition has a serious impact on your ability to maintain substantial gainful employment and overall your quality of life. Examples of additional evidence that may support your SSDI benefits claim include the following:
- Copies of your X-ray scans.
- Copies of your prescriptions for medications.
- Copies of medical records from your hospital visits, clinic appointments, or otherwise health facility visits.
- A statement from a physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other medical professional regarding your initial diagnosis and the ongoing treatment of your medical condition.
- A statement from a loved one (i.e., family member, friend, neighbor, caregiver, clergy, etc.) regarding the significant decline in your ability to participate in daily activities.
- A statement from an employer regarding the significant difficulty you would have in performing necessary job tasks.
This is not to mention that the SSA may, later on, seek additional medical information and arrange for you to attend a consultative exam. So, for these reasons alone, you must consult with a skilled New Jersey SSDI eligibility attorney immediately. Our team at The Law Office of Sheryl Gandel Mazur is happy to advise you.
