Since your injury, you have been unable to go back to your Kentucky workplace and resume your career, and now it appears that you never will. Bills do not stop coming in when income is lost, but it appears that your disability will be covered by Social Security disability insurance.
You will need to prove that you have a disability in order to receive SSD benefits, and the Social Security Administration provides details about the evidentiary requirements.
Your responsibilities
You must gather and submit any proof you have of the following about your impairment:
- What it is
- How severe it is
- How long you have had it
- Whether it keeps you from doing mental and physical work-related activities
If, after you have made the application, more evidence comes to light, you must submit it while your application is going through the process of administrative review.
SSA’s investigative process
The SSA will take steps to verify all the information you have provided. Not only does this include reviewing what has been provided by health care professionals, it also includes investigating information from people who are not medical professionals, such as the following:
- Family and friends
- Employer and co-workers
- Welfare workers
- Caregivers
- Neighbors
- Clergy
You may be required to go back to your doctor for more testing, or the SSA may have you visit a different medical provider or specialist for an independent evaluation. Many other factors may affect your claim’s investigation and approval or denial; therefore, this information should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice.