Since March 2017, there have been new evidentiary requirements for Pennsylvania disability benefits. These updates may or may not affect your disability insurance claim depending on when you filed for disability benefits and whether you meet certain evidentiary requirements. Knowing a few new basic requirements that you may need to meet can help increase your chances of receiving the disability benefits you need. If you ever have any questions about this, do not hesitate to talk with a Pennsylvania disability lawyer for guidance.  

New Evidentiary Requirements for Pennsylvania Disability Benefits 

There are a few updated Pennsylvania disability evidentiary requirements that might be important to know about when filing your disability claim. Some of these updates involve changes to definitions, added definitions, and the acceptance of new types of medical evidence for your disability. Being aware of these changes can help you submit the evidence needed for a strong disability claim.

For one, three new medical sources were added for evidence of your condition that includes audiologists, physician assistants, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. This means you can obtain medical opinions, records, and other evidence that supports your disability from any of these medical sources. The definition of a disability did not change, but the evidentiary requirements did.

A disability cannot be demonstrated by a diagnosis, medical opinion, or symptoms alone. You must include other forms of evidence to prove your physical or mental disability if significantly impairing your ability to work.

Important SSA Definitions to Know in Pennsylvania

There were also important SSA definition changes to be aware of that can help you understand how the SSA looks at and organizes the evidence in your disability claim. The five main categories of evidence you will want to be aware of are:

• Medical opinions – Statements from legitimate medical sources (i.e. your doctor) that detail what your disability allows you to do and what mental or physical limitations your disability causes.
• Objective medical evidence – Recorded diagnosis of your disability, diagnostic signs of a specific medical disability or disorder, or lab results.
• Evidence from non-medical sources – Anything submitted that is related to your disability but is not from a legitimate medical source.
• Prior administrative medical findings – Previous medical findings found by a medical consultant or psychological consultant.
• Other medical evidence – Any evidence from medical sources that do not fit into the other categories of evidence.

There are certain things that are not considered to be evidence by the SSA. These include attorney-client communications or analyses. These are only deemed as evidence under the condition that the information is provided to the SSA by you or your lawyer. Be wary of Pennsylvania bad faith tactics when it comes to disability insurance.

Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania

Navigating through all the SSA definitions and evidentiary requirements can be tricky. Consider hiring a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance attorney if you encounter any problems along the way. You can call Edelstein & Nelson today at 800-887-4529 for a consultation. One of our Pennsylvania disability lawyers can help you collect all the evidence and documentation you need to start receiving disability benefits.