If you believe that you are eligible for disability benefits, it is important to take your time to fully research and prepare before making your application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Only around 30 percent of applications are accepted each year, and this is most often because the applicants did not provide sufficient information to be successful.

As part of your preparation, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor so that he or she can give you medical insight and the professional guidance that you are likely to need. Many of the guidelines that the SSA has put in place are complex and are better looked over by a medical expert.

What information or documentation will my doctor be able to provide?

Your doctor will know your medical condition and the extent of your disability from a medical standpoint. They will, therefore, be able to produce a written statement to be submitted as part of your Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits application. They must also provide evidence of your condition, such as medical exams, lab test results or X-ray scans. This will help the SSA to form an objective view of your condition.

Your doctor, in his or her statements, must also acknowledge that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from being able to contribute gainful work activity, and therefore, that you should gain disability benefits. If you are concerned about successfully gaining disability benefits, you should make sure to thoroughly research the requirements and ensure that you provide all of the necessary information before making your application.

Source: Disability Benefits Center, “How to Get Your Doctor to Help You with Your Disability Claim,” accessed Feb. 22, 2018