If you’re disabled and unable to work in the Los Angeles area, there’s a good chance that you qualify to receive Social Security disability benefits. Speak first with an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer who can explain to you both the requirements and the process for obtaining benefits. When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, the decision regarding your claim will be based on your medical records. The Social Security Administration (SSA) should have your complete records including your doctor’s notes, lab reports, x-rays, and any other pertinent tests or documents. The most important medical document that you can provide to the SSA is a written letter or statement from your doctor in support of your disability claim.
The more precise your doctor can be in a written statement, the better. A brief letter that simply says you are disabled and unable to work won’t help you much. The doctor must explain precisely why you are unable to work. Because the SSA needs to know how your disability impacts your ability to perform work-related tasks, a letter from your doctor should include a number of details regarding your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, reach, and perform repetitive movements. Many doctors will resist being asked for a report with this kind of detail, but it’s precisely what Social Security wants. Your disability benefits attorney may be able to speak with your doctor or provide a form that makes writing a report faster and easier.
If you are unable to hold a job because of a diagnosed medical condition – either mental or physical – you are probably eligible to obtain Social Security disability benefits, but the process isn’t easy. It can also be lengthy for some applicants, so you should speak with an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer immediately after suffering or becoming aware of your disability.