Signs that indicate an applicant may be approved for SSDI include submitting adequate medical proof, demonstrating an inability to work, and having sufficient work credits. Working with a social security attorney may also increase the odds of the applicant qualifying for disability benefits.
Submitting Adequate and Convincing Medical Proof
A disability benefits claimant can improve the chances of his or her application getting approved by submitting sufficient and convincing medical proof. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains an official medical resource called the Blue Book where all the medical conditions and associated symptoms that make applicants eligible for disability benefits are listed.
Record of medical history, reports of diagnosis, CT scans and X-rays, treatment descriptions, and prescription drug receipts are the key medical records and reports that a claimant should submit to strengthen his or her disability claim. The claimant should also submit a letter from a doctor that confirms the validity of every diagnostic test.
Demonstrating Inability to Work
A claimant can increase the odds of SSA approving his or her disability claim by demonstrating that he or she can’t work or do any substantial gainful activity outside his or her area of training. The claimant must also prove that he or she hasn’t worked for 12 consecutive months. In addition to the documents submitted by the employer showing that the claimant didn’t work for the entire year, the claimant should also submit copies of his or her monthly bank statements as additional proof.
Having Sufficient Work Credits
Claimants must have enough work credits to be eligible for SSDI benefits. Individuals that hold jobs that submit social security taxes can earn a maximum of four work credits per year. The SSA determines the number of work credits required for a claimant to be eligible for disability benefits by considering the age when the claimant first suffered a symptom of a qualifying disability.
Working with a Social Security Attorney
A disability claimant can reduce the odds of getting an SSDI denial by working with an attorney for social security. The attorney can communicate with the doctor, obtain medical records and reports, file a disability claim with the SSA, and monitor the status of the claim on the claimant’s behalf. The attorney can also help the claimant work through the four-step appeals process if his or her initial application is denied.