Proving You are Eligible for Permanent Disability

Permanent disability through the Social Security Administration is a way to make sure that you have a steady revenue stream if you have become injured on the job, or if you have developed a non-job-related illness or injury that prevents you from working in your field of expertise and you cannot be retrained.  Examples of permanent disability include cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating diseases that interfere with your ability to work and lead a normal life.  The process for applying for permanent disability is long and arduous, and to successfully receive disability you must prove that you are disabled. 

Proving You Are Eligible for Permanent Disability

The first step for proving permanent disability to the SSA is to assemble all of the relevant medical records and histories regarding your disease from any doctors or specialists you have visited since becoming diagnosed with the disease.  The SSA will ask for this medical documentation, and knowing everyone you have talked to and making sure to give this information to the SSA will help them acquire everything that they need to proceed with your permanent disability benefits case.  Make sure to include anything relevant to your specific case.

Having your personal physician or a specialist in the type of disease or disability which you are attempting to claim write a letter describing the effects of the disease on you is the second step.  Your doctor may be called upon to describe or defend these claims to the Social Security Administration as the process moves forward, so you will want to make sure your doctor is comfortable with the process and knowledgeable with the specific effects of your disease on you and your ability to work.

A final step that you will need to take is to compile all of your work history such as pay stubs, W2s, and other supporting documents showing that you are not making more than the maximum required for permanent disability.  You are allowed to make up to $940 a month before you will lose your social security disability benefits and be considered able to work. 

By supplying your medical history, a proven track record of your work history that shows a decline due to your disability or disease, and a letter from your doctor describing the personal effects of the disease or disability on your life, you will be well on your way to proving permanent disability with the Social Security Administration.

Getting Help

Getting help from an experienced social security disability attorney can also be important. Your attorney can help you insure compliance with all SSA requests and can help you complete your application and compile evidence that is needed to have your application approved.