Social Security Disability applications can get confusing, with numerous sections asking you for all sorts of information about your work history, medical conditions and personal information. However, something that may not be immediately obvious is that besides just filling out the application, you also need to attach supporting documents — which help the disability claims examiner determine whether or not you should get benefits.
The first document you should have at the ready is a full medical history. This will include stays at any hospitals or treatment facilities that relate to the injury or condition that led you to apply for disability benefits, as well as any physicians who have treated you in that capacity. The medical history can be obtained through your doctor, as he or she should have a full copy of it for their records.
Medical histories are important because they can tell claims examiners where and when you were injured or started experiencing your current disability, what kinds of symptoms you have and how these affect your ability to work.
Another form that’s crucial to your application is the residual functional capacity (RFC) form, which is filled out by your doctor and explains what remaining abilities you have to work on some level, despite your disability. The claims examiner can request this form to be filled out by a consultant while your application is being considered, but it is beneficial for you if you have your doctor fill out a physical note beforehand and explain why you are no longer able to work.
Ultimately, having the RFC form attached to your application can benefit you by speeding up the process and getting you a result faster, as well as having your form filled out by a doctor who knows you and can more accurately estimate your ability to work.
In order to obtain both of these forms, you should get the help of a lawyer who is experienced in working with Social Security Disability cases and knows how to work with hospitals, doctors and treatment centers to get you the paperwork that you need. That way, you can focus on rest and recuperation while your disability application is handled by an experienced attorney.
