If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury and the effects make it impossible for you to work, you might be able to file a claim for Social Security disability benefits to help cover your day to day expenses (such as rent, medicine, utilities, etc). The Social Security Administration is the agency that oversees disability benefits and in order to be considered for those benefits you must demonstrate that you were once able to work full time and that you can no longer work because of your condition.
The application process to receive disability benefits is a lengthy one. There is a great deal of medical documentation and supporting information to help the SSA to determine your eligibility, which is why some applicants consider hiring a Social Security attorney to help with the process.
Medical Documents Needed in Your Application
If your traumatic brain injury prevents you from working, and if you will be unable to work for more than 12 months, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. In order for your application to be considered, you will need to provide the following information to support your traumatic brain injury diagnosis:
- A complete report from your physician detailing your diagnosis, including history and treatment plan, and an explanation of how your injury will prevent you from working
- All test results relative to your traumatic brain injury including lab reports, reports regarding any imaging you have completed (i.e. CT scans, MRIs, etc), surgery reports when applicable
- A list of all medication taken as part of your treatment plan and a report of any side effects you have experienced as a result of the treatment. Also list if those side effects negatively impact your ability to work.
- A list of all medical personnel who have treated you for your traumatic brain injury, along with their contact information and office locations
- A list of all medical facilities where you received treatment, including phone numbers and addresses
Other Information You’ll Need
Your application will be processed by the Social Security Administration, and even though their office has your work history on file, there is information you should include in your application that will help the SSA to make a ruling on your claim. You need to be able to show that you were able to work prior to your traumatic brain injury. This information includes the following:
- Your complete work history, including a description of the kind of work you performed
- A copy of your most recent W-2 and federal tax returns
- Your Social Security number and a certified copy of your birth certificate
How a Social Security Attorney Can Help You with Your Application
The process to apply for Social Security disability benefits is a complicated one given the amount of medical documentation and supporting evidence that is required in your application. A Social Security lawyer can help gather all of the information needed to submit your claim while guiding your through the application process. Should your claim be denied, a Social Security attorney can also file an appeal on your behalf.
Social Security attorneys work on a contingency basis, so they will take your case without being paid upfront, and you will only be required to pay if your claim is approved. Complete the Free Case Evaluation today to get in touch with an attorney that takes cases in your area!
