When a disability prevents you from working, you might be eligible for disability benefits. There are several things you will need to prove to the insurance company to become eligible for these benefits. Finding out how to prove these things may help you increase your chances. An experienced Philadelphia denied benefits appeal lawyer can help you strengthen your disability claim.
The three most important things to prove in a disability claim are the disability itself, symptoms, and impairment level. These are considered disability benefits evidentiary requirements when applying for benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Evidentiary requirements may vary when applying through private disability insurance.
The existence of a disability is one of the most important aspects to prove. Without a disability, no one can qualify for disability benefits. This is usually proven with medical evidence from licensed health professionals. Which health professional you go to for a diagnosis and evidence depends on the type of disability.
Those with a physical disability may acquire their medical evidence from a medical health professional, whereas those with a mental disability may gather evidence from a mental health professional. Medical records, lab tests, and treatment charts from these professionals will be used to prove the symptoms caused by your disability.
Medical records may also be used to help prove the level of impairment caused by your disability. A series of questions might be provided by the disability insurance company for your health professional to answer. In some cases, you may have to undergo a consultative exam by a professional chosen by the insurance company to confirm the impairment level of the disability.
Objective medical evidence from licensed professionals is not the only way to prove your disability. The SSA and some private disability insurance companies also look for and accept non-medical evidence. These types of non-medical disability evidence usually come from any other source like yourself, loved ones, educational staff, and social workers.
Journaling your daily symptoms and struggles caused by your disability can help you prove the severity of your disability. Similar statements from loved ones and those you have worked with can be used to support this. The goal is to show how much your disability interferes with work performance.
Include details about what daily activities are limited, the intensity of symptoms, whether treatments you have tried, and any other functional limitations. The more details you can provide from multiple sources about how much your disability limits your abilities, the better. Consider contacting a Philadelphia disability lawyer to find out other ways you can prove your claim to increase your chances of success.
Trying to prove a disability benefits claim can be challenging. You may not have to do this alone. Feel free to reach out to our Philadelphia disability attorney for help with proving your need for disability benefits. Contact Edelstein & Nelson by dialing (800) 300-0909 for a consultation to start taking steps today. Our team of lawyers is ready to explore ways to prove your disability claim.