Provide Medical Documentation

The most important part of proving that your disability is preventing you from working is medical documentation. This includes:

• Doctor’s records: Your treating physician’s notes, test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans will form the backbone of your evidence. The SSA will want to know how severe your condition is, how it limits your ability to work, and what treatments you have undergone.
• Medical tests and evaluations: If your disability involves objective evidence such as lab results, X-rays, MRIs, or other diagnostic tests, make sure to submit those records. These documents provide objective proof of the condition you have and how it affects your ability to function.
• Specialists' opinions: If you have been referred to specialists for treatment, such as neurologists, cardiologists, or orthopedic surgeons, their reports can also provide crucial evidence of your limitations and how your disability prevents you from working.

Show How Your Disability Affects Your Daily Activities

The SSA doesn’t just look at your medical records; they also want to understand how your condition affects your ability to carry out daily tasks. This includes both physical and mental activities.

• Work-related activities: The SSA will want to know if you can still perform the basic tasks required for your job, such as sitting, standing, lifting, walking, or concentrating. If your disability prevents you from doing these tasks, you need to explain how.
• Personal care and household tasks: You’ll also need to show how your condition limits your ability to take care of personal tasks like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and cleaning. If your disability affects your ability to care for yourself or perform routine chores, it strengthens your case.
• Social and emotional limitations: Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD can also make it difficult to work. You should document how these conditions affect your social interactions, your ability to communicate, or your capacity to focus on tasks.

Describe Your Work History and Job Requirements

The SSA needs to know about your work history to determine if you can continue doing your previous job or any other type of work. To prove that your disability prevents you from working, you should:

• Detail your job duties: Provide a description of your previous job responsibilities, including physical and mental tasks required for the position. For example, if your disability affects your ability to stand or lift, explain how your job required you to do so.
• Explain how your disability interferes with your job: If you’ve had to miss work due to your disability, reduced your work hours, or had to stop working altogether, document this. You can provide proof through pay stubs, tax returns, or employer statements about your work history.
• List any accommodations: If your employer made accommodations but your disability still prevented you from working effectively, be sure to mention this. For example, if your employer reduced your hours or provided a modified role, but you still couldn’t do the job, this can help demonstrate the severity of your condition.

Demonstrate That You Are Unable to Perform Other Work

The SSA evaluates whether you can perform any type of work, not just your previous job. To prove that you are unable to work, you must demonstrate that:

• Your condition prevents other work: If your disability stops you from working in any other capacity, you need to show that your skills and limitations prevent you from performing other jobs that might be available in the job market. This includes considering your education, training, and work experience.
• Age and education factors: If your disability has affected your ability to learn new skills or perform work that requires specific physical abilities, such as lifting, standing, or using machinery, make sure to explain these limitations. If your age or level of education makes it harder to transition to a different type of work, the SSA will consider this when evaluating your case.

Keep Track of Your Symptoms and Limitations

Documenting your symptoms and their effects over time is critical. You can do this by:

• Maintaining a symptom diary: Keeping track of how your symptoms change daily or weekly will help provide concrete evidence of how your disability affects your ability to work. This includes recording things like pain levels, fatigue, mental health fluctuations, and how they impact your daily tasks.
• Tracking your treatment progress: Keeping records of how well or poorly your treatments are working can also help demonstrate that your condition isn’t improving enough to allow you to return to work. Be sure to note any missed treatments or doctor’s appointments that may affect your condition.

Consult with a Disability Attorney or Advocate

While you can apply for Social Security Disability benefits on your own, consulting with an experienced disability attorney or advocate can improve your chances of approval. They can help you:

• Prepare and organize your case: A lawyer can help you gather all the necessary evidence, including medical documentation, work history, and daily activity reports, and present your case in the best possible light.
• Represent you at hearings: If your claim is denied and you need to appeal, an attorney can represent you during the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing and argue on your behalf.
• Navigate the legal complexities: Social Security Disability law can be complicated, and a lawyer can help you understand the SSA’s process and requirements.

Submit a Comprehensive SSDI Application

When submitting your SSDI application, make sure it’s thorough and complete. The more information you can provide that supports your claim, the better your chances of approval. This includes:

• Medical records and doctor’s opinions: Provide detailed medical records that support your claims, including specific limitations related to your disability.
• Work history: Include all relevant information about your past job roles, duties, and how your disability affects your ability to perform those tasks.
• Personal statements: You may also want to write a personal statement detailing how your disability affects your life, including the inability to work, care for yourself, and maintain relationships.