Filing a Pennsylvania disability claim comes with a lot of steps, but one major step is submitting all the needed documents. Many of these documents will serve as information while others will provide concrete evidence for your claim. Missing one document could be all it takes to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA) to deny your claim. Be sure to talk to a Pennsylvania denied benefits appeal attorney if this happened to you to see if anything went wrong with your application and to explore your legal options.

Documents Needed for Your Pennsylvania Disability Claim

Pennsylvania disability claim documents are crucial for proving your need for disability benefits from the SSA. They range from basic information on your birth to complex medical records detailing the limitations of your disability. Disability applications are denied for all kinds of reasons, but one of the most common ones is not submitting all the documents requested by the SSA.

This is why when you are submitting your disability benefits application, in person or online, you need to be sure to include your:

• W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns
• Proof of birth (usually by a birth certificate)
• Pay stubs from your job
• Any workers’ compensation benefits documents
• Medical records
• Proof of your citizenship in the United States

If you served in the military, you will also want to submit any military discharge documents. Medical records are the most important documents you can submit because they describe your disability and why you are unable to work. Be sure to submit all the medical evidence you have, including lab test results, your diagnosis, and doctor’s notes.

The SSA gives you two options for submitting all of these documents, mailing them, or bringing them to your local Social Security office.

What Else Will I Need for My Pennsylvania Disability Claim?

In some cases, the medical evidence you submitted from your doctor will not be enough and the SSA will request the submission of a Pennsylvania consultative examination report. The only way you can submit this is by attending a consultative examination. This is a medical exam performed by a medical professional chosen by the SSA.

The Pennsylvania consultative exam will obtain details on your disability and the history of your disability. Lab tests may be conducted along with physical tests to judge any physical impairments caused by your disability. This will all be summed up in the report.

Information from the consultative examination report will be used to corroborate details and evidence submitted through your medical records. The SSA will judge your disability claim based on any discrepancies found between what your doctor claimed and what the consultative examination report claims. Feel free to consult with a lawyer to see what your options are in this situation.

Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania

Consider seeking help from a Pennsylvania individual disability lawyer if you find yourself struggling with the disability insurance application process. Contact Edelstein & Nelson today at 800-887-4529 for a consultation. Our Pennsylvania disability lawyers can help you figure out what went wrong and collect the evidence needed for a strong claim.