When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you will notice that information regarding your medical treatment and disability is one of the major topics asked about throughout the application. This is because medical proof is at the core of your success in applying for Social Security benefits.
Many people make the mistake of stopping their medical treatment after they have been diagnosed by their doctors as disabled. This is because they are forced to give up work due to their disability and, as a result of this, many disabled individuals cannot afford to buy medicines or see their doctors until they receive Social Security Disability benefits.
If you wish to apply for disability benefits, it is imperative that you continue your medical treatment, as once the Social Security Administration spots that you are not taking any medications or you refrain from seeing your doctor, they may think that your condition is not serious enough to warrant the granting of disability benefits.
You are considered disabled if you are unable to work or perform basic functions because of a permanent impairment or injury. As long as you meet the definition of being disabled as set by the Social Security Administration, you are eligible to receive benefits.
However, getting Social Security Disability benefits can be a long and tiring process. Therefore, it is imperative that you gather the appropriate documentation to prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you are eligible for disability benefits before you file your disability claim.
A favorable decision cannot be made on your disability claim without medical evidence of your disability. Acceptable medical sources may come from physicians and specialists, and it is crucial to see your doctor regularly and over a long time period. Evidence of your disability from a specialist holds more weight than a diagnosis or report from a general practitioner or family doctor because of a specialist’s level of expertise in a particular field.
If you have inadequate medical evidence of your disability, you might be asked to do a Consultative Exam by the Social Security Administration, conducted by a doctor appointed by the SSA. Keep in mind that this examination is for the purposes of helping the Social Security Administration see the extent of your disability and not meant to provide you with ongoing treatment and care. Also, bear in mind that the physicians involved in this examination are very careful when it comes to considering an individual disabled, so be as honest and compliant with them as possible.
Your disability may be viewed as a problem that is directly caused by trauma, disease, or other health conditions that will necessitate sustained medical treatment by professionals. If medical care is the main issue, it is advisable to continue your medical treatment before you apply for disability benefits.
Once you are entitled to receive disability benefits, it is still important to continue your medical treatment while you’re on disability as your condition can be reviewed by the Social Security Administration every few years to see if you are still eligible for benefits. Should they decide to do so, you will be given a written notification announcing their plan to conduct a continuing disability review.
Just as medical proof is necessary to establish preliminary eligibility, proving ongoing entitlement to Social Security benefits is also important. Continued medical treatment and use of medication is the key to proving to the Social Security Administration that you need and are entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.
