How Much Evidence Do I Need to Prove my Disability?

When people ask why their initial claim for Social Security disability, or SSI Disability, was denied when they are clearly disabled to anyone that knows them, the most common answer is that they did not submit enough evidence to prove their case. Evidence cannot simply be how much something hurts or how long it takes one to tie one’s shoes, but rather needs to be in the form of official medical documentation.

After this explanation is given, people then ask how much evidence they actually need to prove their case. The simplest answer is: as much as possible. The more evidence a person has, the more difficult it is for the government to turn down the claim for disability.

The importance of vast quantities of evidence when presenting a claim for social security disability cannot be overstated. In general, the more evidence, the better the chance of having your claim approved.

Once evidence has been collected, it is sometimes hard to determine how much is enough or when to quit collecting new evidence. There are two ways to consider this question. First, any SSI disability claimant needs to have enough medical evidence in the file made available to a disability claim examiner to substantiate their claims of disability. To meet this, the claimant’s records should describe the claimant’s specific limitations in medical terms and by licensed doctors.

Second, the evidence itself needs to have been collected recently enough that it sufficiently indicates that the claimant is currently disabled. This part of the evidence process places a distinct burden on many individuals. It requires that they continue to seek medical treatment in order to prove that their disability is current and on-going. However, this can be a difficult proposition for individuals who may no longer have access to health insurance and cannot afford to pay out of pocket.

Contact Us

If you have applied for Social Security disability insurance and been denied, contact the Indianapolis social security disability lawyers of the Hankey Law Office at (800) 520-3633 to discuss your case and learn more about the appeals process.