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Getting ready to file for disability benefits

On Behalf of | Feb 26, 2021 | Social Security Disability |

If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you know that this can cause significant financial harm for your Wisconsin family. The intent of disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is to provide a source of income for individuals like you who are unable to hold gainful employment. If you are considering applying for these benefits, what do you need to apply?

The documentation you include in your claim is critical. It is important to prepare your application well, gathering the paperwork necessary to validate your claim for benefits. Before you begin the complex and often frustrating process of applying Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you will benefit from knowing what to do and what to expect.

Important information

There are certain types of information you will have to provide for the Social Security Administration as you apply for disability benefits, including:

  • Dates of all marriages and divorces
  • Birth dates for you, your spouse and any children
  • Discharge information from any previous military service
  • Federal income statements and bank account information

In addition to the vital information required by the SSA, you will need certain types of documentation that will prove your disability, your level of impairment and your ability to work. This may include:

  • Medical records
  • Information about prescriptions you’re taking
  • Dates and any paperwork pertaining to tests, hospital stays and more
  • Information about any previous jobs you held

Even with all of the right information and documentation included in your claim, you may still find your claim comes back denied. If this happens to you, it is not the end of the road. You have a right to continue your pursuit of benefits through the appeals process. Many initial claims are not successful.

A better chance of success

Filing for disability benefits can be frustrating, confusing and overwhelming. If you are not sure of what you should do to start this process or how you could give yourself a better chance of success, you may want to start by doing ample research into what you need for a claim. This effort can give you a better chance of getting the benefits you need on the first try. You may also find it helpful to learn more about what the SSA considers a disabling condition and how it reviews disability benefits claims.