Chronic back or knee can debilitating to a person’s daily life. In some cases, it can affect a person’s ability to function normally and prevent them from being able to work. On top of medical and Physical Therapy costs, a loss of income can have devastating financial impacts on a person.
If your chronic back or knee pain is affecting your ability to work, then you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Because so many people experience back or knee pain on some level, there are many people that apply, and not all get accepted. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has to determine which applicants actually need assistance because they are disabled from the pain and unable to work. An experienced SSDI lawyer can help you form a strong application and complete the necessary requirements. If, for some chance, you are denied the first time, a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer will help with the appeal process so that you have a fighting chance to earn disability benefits.
1. Have a diagnosis proving a severe and long-term medical condition
The SSA uses a system to determine which medical conditions are eligible for benefits. Some medical conditions are automatically eligible, while others, such as back and knee pain, require proof that the condition is long-term and severe. The best way to prove this is by visiting a doctor to get tests and a clear diagnosis reflecting the severity of your back and knee pain.
2. Provide proper medical records and documentation
To prove you back and knee pain, you will need to keep, gather and collect from your doctor any documentation and records that support your claim. When submitting your application, you should include the following:
- Full medical history
- Test results
- Diagnosis
- X-rays
- MRIs
- CT scans
- Treatment
- Doctor’s notes
- Treatment and medicine administered
- Physical therapy records
- Records from an experienced Physical Therapist such as the Physical Therapist Gaithersburg MD locals have been trusting for years.
3. Determine additional qualifications
In order to apply for SSDI, you must include your age, work history and outside income. The SSA will consider all components when evaluating your application, so you will need to ensure that you can fulfill these requirements. To do so, you should provide records that prove these things, such as a legal form of identification and tax forms.
4. Hire a Social Security Disability Income lawyer
Applying for SSDI can be a complex and difficult process. Making one mistake or leaving something out could result in your application getting denied. Although it is common to get denied the first time, the help of a lawyer can increase your chances of getting approved.