It can be scary to find yourself dealing with a condition that prevents you from holding gainful employment. Whether you have a mental condition, physical injury or medical diagnosis that keeps you from working, you have certain options. It is possible you have a rightful claim to disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.
West Virginia readers know disability benefits are available to certain qualifying individuals who cannot work because of a medical condition. There are strict qualification guidelines for applying for these benefits, but if you qualify, you may need to know how to move forward with your application. The application process can be complex, and it involves gathering certain documentation and including evidence of your qualifying medical condition.
What should I have when applying?
Applying for disability benefits can be a complicated process. Many people find simply filling out the initial paperwork to be confusing. In addition to forms, there are certain documents that you need to include as part of your application such as the following:
- Documents verifying your medication, including information about the medication you take
- Evidence from your medical care provider, including information about dates of doctor visits and more
- Other information that could validate your disability, including test results, medical records, letters from doctors and more
It may also be helpful to include information regarding the work you used to have before the onset of your medical condition. The SSA may want to know more about how your medical condition affected your ability to work, support your family and earn a living.
Many initial claims come back denied, and this is often because of mistakes with the application process. Errors and omissions of even small details can lead to a denial. While this is frustrating, there are still options available to you. You have the right to seek a reconsideration of your claim or work through the appeals process.
Fighting for the support you need
It can be overwhelming to deal with the implications of a disabling medical condition. If you need to apply for disability benefits, you do not have to walk through this process alone. With help, you can complete your application and include the necessary documentation to better your chances of a successful initial claim.
Whether it is through filing for benefits for the first time or gathering the documentation you need to file, you may find it helpful to seek a complete evaluation of your case before you move forward.
