|
|
|
What should you get from your doctor to file for disability benefits?You won't be required to get anything at all from your doctor when you file for disability benefits, or at any point thereafter. This is because the social security administration will do all the record and evidence gathering when your case is pending at either the disability application or reconsideration appeal level. However, some claimants take it upon themselves to get their medical records either prior to filing for disability or shortly after filing for disability. The advantage to doing this is obvious. Disability examiners, the people who make decisions on SSD and SSI claims for the social security administration, receive their cases from social security field offices where claimants first apply. The first act that a disability examiner will typically take will be to request medical records from all the medical and mental treatment sources that are listed on a disability claim. However, after the records have been requested, the case may simply sit and wait for weeks, and sometimes months. During this time, the disability examiner has his or her hands tied because the majority of the decision making process is based on what the medical records have to say about a claimant's condition. A claimant who gets the medical record from their various doctors, hospitals, and clinics can sometimes shave many weeks of processing time from their case. Disability examiners who receive medical records from claimants are also often appreciative of this since it allows them to dispose of cases faster and improve their work statistics. Applicants whose claims are pending at the disability hearing level (meaning a disability hearing has been requested and the claimant is waiting for a hearing date to be scheduled), though, are in a very different position. At the hearing level, the social security administration no longer does development of a case. Translation: SSA will no longer seek to obtain medical records even though the medical records that were previously obtained will be many months old by the time a hearing actually takes place. At the hearing level, it is the responsbility of the claimant and/or the claimant's disability representative (who can be a social security attorney or non-attorney representative) to obtain updated medical records and submit them to the administrative law judge who has been assigned to the case. 
Return to: Topics and Questions Special Sections Return to Social Security Disability Resource Center Or click to one of the following: Return to -- Social Security Appeals Time Limit Return to -- Can I Talk To the Disability Examiner Working On My Case? Return to -- What Expenses Will A Social Security Attorney Charge In Addition To The Fee? Return to -- Do Most People Need To See A Judge To Get Disability Benefits From Social Security? Return to -- Social Security Disability Lawyers and 25% Back Pay Return to -- Will Social Security Attempt To Get A Letter From Your Doctor To Help Your Case? Return to -- What Is The Difference In SSD and SSI? Return to -- How is Social Security Disability and SSI Awarded? Return to -- Will my children get benefits if I get approved for disability? Return to -- Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Call Back From The Social Security Office? Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI Blog , About the Author Return to -- Social Security Disability and Money in the Bank Return to -- How long do you have To Be Out Of Work Before You Get Social Security Disability (SSD)? Return to -- The first appeal in a social security disability or SSI case Return to -- Using a Lawyer for an SSDI Disability Case Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI, Medical and Mental Conditions and Problems Return to -- Disability Lawyers - Questions about Hiring a Disability Attorney Return to -- Disability Lawyers in Various States |