Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) requires strong medical evidence to prove the severity of your condition and its impact on your ability to work. Here’s how to gather the strongest evidence to support your claim.

 

Establish a consistent medical record. Regular medical treatment from a licensed healthcare provider is crucial. Obtain comprehensive medical records. Your records should include: physician’s notes detailing symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment plans, lab results, imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs, etc.), hospitalization records and medication history, functional capacity evaluations and outlining work limitations, and any other documents that support your case for disability.

 

Secure a strong medical opinion. A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment from your doctor provides specific limitations on your ability to work. Reports from specialists carry more weight than those from general practitioners. Written statements from doctors should explain your condition’s impact on daily activities and employment. Comprehensive, consistent, and well-documented medical records improve your chances of approval.