Gathering Medical Records

When filing for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or for Social Security Disability (SSDI) you will need to provide your medical history information during your application and interview. Whether filing for your initial application or for a reconsideration appeal, you will be required to provide the same information. Although it is true that the Social Security Administration will help you gather medical records in order to process your claim, your chances of success without a hearing are increased by having a thorough account of your medical history and treatment.

Collecting your medical records, lab reports, and other medical history documentation can have a profound effect on the speed of processing of your initial Social Security claim and any subsequent appeals. Many times, claims and appeals are denied simply because there is a lack of medical evidence to support a claim for disability.

Experience has shown that disability examiners are more likely to quickly process a claim if most or all of the required information and materials are already present. The Social Security Administration rates its disability examiners based on the number of claims that the examiner can process in a given amount of time. Therefore, if your claim is easier to quickly process, the higher the likelihood that it will be.

If your claim is denied

If your initial claim was denied, it is certainly to your advantage to hire an experience qualified Social Security lawyer to help you gather your medical records, help review the strengths and weaknesses of your claim, compare the facts of the case to the law, and assist you in knowing how to present yourself before the administrative law judge at the Social Security Hearing. A qualified attorney will know what it takes to help prove your claims.