If you suffer from a debilitating medical condition that renders it impossible for you to work, then you’re probably struggling to get by. That can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed about the future. The Social Security Disability system might give you hope, though.
If you can secure disability benefits, then you can receive the consistent financial support that you need as you focus on treating your condition and perhaps someday getting back to work.
But building your Social Security Disability case isn’t going to be easy. In fact, a lot of initial claims are denied for various reasons. So, before moving forward with your disability claim, you need to have strong evidence and a sound legal strategy. Otherwise, you could experience a claim denial and be forced to take your chances on appeal.
How can you build an effective disability claim?
The exact evidence that you need to present for your claim depends a lot on the specific condition from which you’re suffering. However, here are some broader strategies that you can utilize to build up your disability case and maximize your chances of recovering the benefits that you need:
- Keep a written record: You’ll want to provide the Social Security Administration with a realistic picture of the extent of your injuries and how they impact your ability to work and enjoy a normal life. By writing in a journal, you can capture these intricacies on a daily basis so that you don’t forget them. This can be powerful evidence in your disability case, and it can help you prove key elements of your claim.
- File your claim early: You want to establish the onset date of your disability as soon as possible since that will directly affect the amount of backpay that you’ll receive if you’re deemed to qualify for disability benefit.
- Follow treatment recommendations: For several disability types, you’ll have to show that you’ve sought treatment that was ineffective or only temporarily effective. If you skipped treatment because you were trying to tough out your injuries or because you were afraid of going to the doctor, then you might hinder your ability to successfully prove your disability claim.
- Gather and submit all your medical documentation: Your claim will need to be supported by medical evidence demonstrating that you’ve been diagnosed with the condition you’ve claimed. So, gather all your medical records and be prepared to submit them to the Social Security Administration.
- Educate yourself on filing deadlines: You don’t want to lose out on disability benefits because of a technicality. So, be sure to inform yourself on the filing requirements and deadlines so that you can submit everything you need to in a timely fashion.
There are other actions that you can take to better position yourself for a successful disability claim. You just need to be diligent, thorough, and aggressive in gathering evidence and presenting your case.
Don’t hesitate to build your disability case
There’s a lot at stake in your Social Security disability case. And you can’t afford a bad outcome. So, dedicate the time and attention necessary to build an effective case. But don’t wait too long, as doing so could jeopardize your ability to recover what you need and what you deserve.
