What do you need to apply for disability benefits?

When an illness or physical condition keeps you from working, it can take a financial toll on your Florida family. You need to be able to support yourself and your loved ones, and you need income to pay for your daily needs and medical care. Because of these reasons, you may decide it is in your interests to file for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.

Even with a valid medical condition and clear financial need, it may be difficult to get benefits from the SSA. There are certain qualifications you have to meet, and many initial claims come back denied. If you are about to begin the application process, it will be in your interests to know exactly what you need to apply. This will help you avoid complications and unnecessary setbacks.

Getting your documentation ready

The SSA wants certain types of documentation from people who are applying for disability benefits. This typically includes things that help validate your claim and prove that you have a true need for disability benefits. Depending on the nature of your injury and the types of medical care you need, the following may be important for your claim: 

• Records detailing hospitalizations and surgeries you required
• Information about medication you take and continued care you require
• Test results and results from laboratory tests you had
• Information about where you worked and how your condition impacted your abilities to continue work
• The most recent tax returns or W-2
• Records from therapists, doctors, caseworkers and others involved in your claim 

Even with plenty of documentation and information to validate your claim, the SSA may not approve your initial application. At this point, you can gather additional evidence and records from professionals involved with your case for your appeal.

The support you need

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, you don’t have to take one step of this process alone. Working with an experienced attorney from the beginning can help you understand what to do, what eligibility requirements you need to meet and how you can get the support you need. 

Before you begin, you may want to seek an evaluation of your case. This first step can help you understand what to expect and what documentation will be necessary as you prepare your disability claim for the SSA.