Published on: March 6, 2023
Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a source of intense anxiety, especially if you are unsure whether your claim will be approved. SSD benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
If you are considering applying for SSD benefits, it is essential to know the signs that your claim may be approved. At Disability Experts of Florida, we are committed to taking the burden off your shoulders when you are preparing to apply for SSD benefits. Our entire professional attention is focused on getting you and your family the disability benefits you earned through many years of hard, steady work.
8 Signs Your Disability Claim May Be Approved
This blog explains some basic characteristics of an SSD claim that will likely be approved. We hope this information offers some comfort or eases your anxiety while waiting for the Social Security Administration’s approval of your claim.
1. You Have a Severe Medical Condition:
To qualify for SSD benefits, you must have a severe medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability.
The SSA defines a disability with specific criteria that each case must meet to successfully claim SSD benefits. At the SSA, “a disability is a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that lasts or is expected to last 12 months (or result in death) and prevents the person from performing substantial gainful activities.”
The condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities. Your claim will likely be approved if your medical condition is severe and meets the SSA's criteria.
2. You Have a Long-Term Disability:
SSD benefits are intended for individuals with long-term disabilities. The SSA’s very definition of a qualifying disability is one that lasts at least 12 months. Typically, the disabilities that are approved for benefits are severe and last substantially longer than the minimum 12 months. Many are permanent disabilities. If your disability is expected to last long, your claim will likely be approved if your medical documentation is substantial and clear.
3. You Have a Medical Condition on the SSA's List of Impairments:
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify for SSD benefits if they meet specific criteria. The list is known as the Blue Book of Listed Impairments and it provides the details of necessary symptoms, test results, or the required duration for each respective disability.
If your medical condition is on the list and supported by sufficient evidence, your claim is essentially an automatic approval. However, this list is just one avenue to win the approval of disability benefits. Even if your condition is not on the list, you may still be eligible for benefits if it meets the SSA's criteria.
4. You Have Received Consistent Medical Treatment:
Consistent medical treatment is crucial when applying for SSD benefits. Your medical records must show that you have received regular treatment for your condition and that you have followed your doctor's prescribed treatment plan. If your medical records demonstrate that you have received consistent medical treatment, your claim has a better chance of being approved.
5. You Have Complied with Your Doctor's Orders:
Complying with your doctor's orders is essential when applying for SSD benefits. The SSA may deny your claim if you have not followed your doctor's prescribed treatment plan. Compliance with your doctor's orders shows that you are actively trying to improve your condition and doing everything you can to regain the functions or activities you lost to your disability.
6. You Have Completed All Necessary Paperwork:
Filling out the necessary paperwork correctly and completely is crucial when applying for SSD benefits. If you have completed all necessary paperwork accurately and provided all required information, your claim will move forward and is better situated to be approved.
7. You Have Submitted Sufficient Medical Evidence:
The SSA will require medical evidence to support your claim. You must provide enough medical evidence to demonstrate that your condition meets the SSA's criteria for disability. If your healthcare providers are qualified professionals who clearly confirm their observations of your limitations and can present supporting scans, x-rays, or lab results if appropriate, your SSD claim will probably be approved.
8. You Have Worked with an Experienced SSD Advocate:
Working with an experienced SSD advocate, like our team at Disability Experts of Florida, can significantly increase your chances of having your claim approved. An experienced SSD advocate with specialized training and years of hands-on experience can help you navigate the complex SSD application process, ensure that you have provided sufficient medical evidence, and help you prepare for your hearing if your claim is denied initially.
Applying for SSD benefits can be a challenging process. However, if you have a severe, long-term medical condition that meets the SSA's definition of disability, have received consistent medical treatment, have complied with your doctor's orders, have completed all necessary paperwork accurately, have submitted sufficient medical evidence, and have worked with an experienced SSD attorney, your claim is more likely to be approved.
Working with a qualified Social Security Disability Expert Advocate greatly improves the quality of the claim package you file and increases the likelihood of your receiving a notice that you were approved for the Social Security Disability benefits you deserve.
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