My biggest tip is describing your 'average' day to them......not your best functioning day but don't overdramatize saying you can't do anything if sometimes you can.

This is true, I have read that the more you try to make them feel sorry for you, the less they feel sorry. I guess that they think you are exaggerating your situation.

Thanks, rlj1959

I don't want to sound harsh but, try not to whine. Like rlj states get advice, and gather knowledge, you don't have to necessarily use an attorney in the original complaint and the reconsideration the ssa.gov site has a question thread. (however, if you get to the ALJ hearing you may want to consider hiring an attorney.) The ss gov site will lead you to statutes and rules that gets the point across. In Fl. the SS statute that is used a lot is 404. Example according to 404.(additional numbers) it states that the description of disability is you can't walk, stand, sit and according to your statute this means I can't do any substantial gainful activity. This holds them down to their own meaning of a disability. Of course you have to back that up with doctors reports, mri, scans, copies of your medical bills ect. It can become difficult when you don't feel well to begin with, if you can read you can do this. My offer still stands, anyone needing help filling out forms I will be more than willing to give a hand.

Copies of your medical bills don't prove disability

This is true, they don't. But they do prove that you paid for a procedure or whatever to back up your claim. Think about it that way.

They do not care what med bills you have paid for. It has noting to do w/proving disability. More people than not do not pay their medical bills because of no insurance and/or economical reasons. Ever heard of FREE clinics and/or hospital charity cases?

SS goes by medical reports and especially the doctors NOTES.
When you list all the prescriptions on the forms make sure you list every single side effect AND how the side effects affect your everyday life. Make sure you mention same to all of your treating physicians.

This is very important. When you chit-chat w/your doctor watch what you say. Doctors write everything down in their NOTES which SS reads w/a fine tooth comb.

What you state on the SS forms must match up to what are in the medical reports and the doctor's NOTES!


Hope this helps a little bit!

I totally agree with everything you are saying. But, if a person does have receipts, it does help to prove their claim. It may not have any bearing on the final decision. But it is documented proof that you have taken steps to prove your claim. And yes I have heard of free clinics and hospital charity. There again, this is documented proof for your claim even though it comes from a free source. A medical document is just that, a medical document. It dose not matter where it came from or if you paid for it or didn't pay for it.

Copies of your medications do come into play when filing for disability, this is from the SS disability site. Example; you claim to have severe pain, what's going to be more convincing you're taking over the counter pain medication, or something prescribed by a pain medication doctor?

Evidence Relating to Symptoms

In developing evidence of the effects of symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, on a claimant's ability to function, SSA investigates all avenues presented that relate to the complaints. These include information provided by treating and other sources regarding:

* the claimant's daily activities;
* the location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the pain or other symptom;
* precipitating and aggravating factors;
* the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of any medication;
* treatments, other than medications, for the relief of pain or other symptoms;
* any measures the claimant uses or has used to relieve pain or other symptoms; and
* other factors concerning the claimant's functional limitations due to pain or other symptoms.

The information above is from the link under evidentiary requirements.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabi...videntiary.htm

Who paid for the procedure is not an issue SSA cares about.

Having had , say, an MRI proves NOTHING.

Having an MRI report that says xyz is wrong and the medical records that correlates your symtoms and physical limitations with an abnormal MRI finding is very helpful. All of that info is not on your bill.

Agreed, this is extremely important. That was something my claim reviewing doctor stressed to me in my exam. One of his key questions was like this; ' Forget about all the doctor opinions you have heard about your case so far. I don't care about those right now. How does your disability impact you in your every day life?'