Tips for a Successful Social Security Disability Application in Texas

 Posted on November 06, 2023 in Social Security Disability

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in Texas involves extensive record gathering, thorough completion of complex forms, and understanding the program’s stringent disability criteria. A Texas lawyer can help you with improving your odds of approval on an initial SSDI claim.

Understanding SSA’s Strict Disability Standard

The key to eligibility is proving you meet Social Security’s strict definition of disability. You must show that you have one or more medical conditions that render you unable to engage in substantial gainful work activity.

Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 continuous months or result in death. Any symptoms must match Social Security’s detailed listing of qualifying impairments and meet their severity criteria. Thoroughly researching the guidelines, definitions, and qualifying conditions ensures you claim disorders that meet SSA criteria.

Preparing a Solid Medical History

Compiling an extensive written record of your medical history is crucial. Include doctor names, visit dates, treatment descriptions, test results, and diagnoses for all current medical issues. List all medications and dosages you take, procedures undergone, hospitalizations, and specialists seen. Document the disabling symptoms you experience, their frequency, and severity. Explain specifically how the symptoms impair your capacity to work reliably. Provide comprehensive names and addresses of every medical facility you visited for treatment. Complete medical records like this prove to SSA you suffer from legitimate, disabling conditions.

Getting Statements from Doctors

Ask current doctors and specialists treating you for written statements detailing their expert diagnosis of your condition and the specific symptoms and severity they have observed. This should include treatments prescribed, the prognosis for recovery, and how the disorder impairs basic work activities needed for any gainful occupation.

Ideally, the statement should indicate if they consider you currently disabled and unable to sustain work at any job due to the condition, in their professional opinion. Such evidence from medical professionals carries significant weight in SSDI claims.

Understanding Required SSA Forms

It is advisable to seek assistance from a disability attorney to ensure you submit all required SSA forms completely and accurately. For example, the Disability Report detailing medical conditions, providers, medications, and how symptoms limit abilities.

The Work History form outlining previous jobs, skills used, physical and mental job demands involved, and when you stopped working. The critical Function Report describes how your disabilities impair activities of daily living. Missteps on these complex forms can sabotage your claim.

Following these best practices can help demonstrate eligibility and extensively document your disabling conditions when applying for much-needed SSDI assistance. With proper preparation, Texans can maximize their approval odds.

Contact a Dallas, TX Social Security Disability Lawyer

You deserve a fair chance at getting the social security you are seeking. Having a Plano, TX social security disability attorney on your side can help. Call The Law Offices of Coats & Todd at 972-671-9922 for a free case evaluation.