One of the most important documents in an application for Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly known as SSDI, is the “Adult Disability Report.” The Social Security Administration requires this form for all SSDI applications, and in it, the applicant lists pertinent information relating to his or her disability.
The Adult Disability Report is a complicated form to complete. What is more, if an applicant makes a mistake or completes the form incorrectly in any of its parts, he or she is more likely to have a denied claim. A claim denial is an even bigger problem than the initial application because the only way to resolve it is by filing an appeal, which requires an attorney’s assistance. That is why before you complete an Adult Disability Report form, you should learn a few things that can help. Here are three facts to know before you attempt to complete this part of the SSDI application by yourself.
1. You must complete the report, not your doctor
Although you will need to provide medical records as part of your SSDI benefits application, the Adult Disability Report is not something your doctor completes. You are responsible for compiling this part of the application. As such, you should not rely on the idea that your doctor knows how to complete this form and will handle it for you. Also, your doctor does not play a role in deciding whether you receive SSDI benefits; that is left to a team that works in the individual’s state disability determination services.
2. The information you provide could work against you
One of the most important parts of completing the Disability Report is to provide accurate and correct information. However, many people do not understand all the ins and outs of the approval process that the Social Security Administration utilizes to process claims. This being the case, applicants can sometimes run into problems completing the Adult Disability Report. They may misunderstand what the form is asking them to provide and end up giving information that is incorrect or inaccurate, despite the fact that the applicant is eligible for benefits. This could lead to a denied application.
3. An attorney can assist in the application process
Many applicants think there is no need to work with an attorney to complete the initial SSDI benefits application. After all, the Social Security Administration website makes the application process seem quite straightforward and easy. However, a qualified attorney can be an invaluable asset in the initial application for the simple fact that the attorney knows exactly what the SSA needs in order to process your application. Therefore, you save time and hassle as well as increase your chances for a successful application.