You are likely to be devastated when you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but to help you out financially you may be eligible for SSDI (Social Security disability) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you qualify you may get your medical treatment paid for, as well as any other costs that you are confronted with because you are unable to work.
These payments will not be sent to you automatically, as you have to match the criteria laid down by the SSA. The SAA requires you to provide certain documents that support your application.
Criteria for Applying for SSDI Benefits
As the SSA uses both medical and non-medical criteria before deciding if you qualify for Social Security disability, you will first of all need to submit proof that you are suffering from a medical disability.
You will also need to have accrued adequate work credits to qualify as "insured" under SSDI or your assets and income must be small enough that you are eligible for the program.
Medical Documents Needed in Your Application
If 12 months have passed and you have not been able to work due to multiple sclerosis, you must provide the medical documents that prove you have multiple sclerosis. The key proof will come from your physician, who needs to confirm your diagnosis. He or she will need to state what treatment you are receiving and what sort of symptoms you are experiencing.
Lab results confirming your diagnosis are required too, as well as any drugs you are being prescribed. You will need to have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any other physicians who have been treating you and any medical centers or hospitals you have attended for treatment.
Other Information You’ll Need
As soon as you have your medical documents in order to include in your application, you must provide your work records which show you have been engaged in full time work, but because of multiple sclerosis you are no longer able to go to work.
The SSA will want a summary of your workplaces and the sort of job you did. You will need to include your W-2 form. If you fit into the self employed category you will need to add your Social Security number, your birth certificate, and your most current tax return form.
How a Social Security Attorney Can Help You with Your Application
If you believe you qualify for SSDI or SSI, do not be too certain that the SSA will approve your eligibility. Few government departments just grant benefits like this immediately, and they may even delay making a decision. Get a Social Security attorney to work on your behalf to get your benefit entitlements. As they work on a contingency fee basis, you only pay legal fees when your benefits have been approved by the SSA.
