Two Tips To Help Increase Your Chances Of Getting Approved For Disability
Posted on: 2 December 2015
Whether your disability is physical or mental, if it's making it difficult for you to make a livelihood for yourself, you know that it's time to file for disability. However, while it would seem that filing for disability would be a fairly cut-and-dried process, it's not always this way. Approximately 70 percent of disability claims are denied the first time, and this could spell disaster if you are depending on those funds to pay bills and stay afloat. Use this information to learn more about what you can do to increase your chances of getting approved for disability.
Have Your Doctor Complete A Residual Functional Capacity Form
One technique you can use to increase the chances of a disability claim approval is to have your doctor complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form. This form gives your doctor the opportunity to outline the exact ways that you are incapacitated. The information in the form can go a long way toward adding validity to your claim.
Although the RFC form is not required, it's important to add it to your claim file because it provides testimony from a medical professional about the extent of your disability. While you should certainly write out a detailed description of your symptoms, there is simply no substitute for documented proof from a doctor.
Keep in mind that once your doctor has agreed to fill out the form, you'll want to gently stay on top of them about getting it done, since missing deadlines can cause your claim to be disapproved.
Be Sure To Make The Connection Between Your Disability And Your Work
Another tip to remember when you're filing a disability claim is the importance of making the connection between the type of disability you have and the line of work that you are or were employed in. This is key because you need to show how your disability is preventing you from completing your job or hindering your life opportunities in some way.
For example, if you are a chef for a living, and have torn your rotator cuff and can no longer cook the way you need to for your job, make the connection. Explain how difficult it is to reach up and grab pots and pans in a busy restaurant kitchen because of the pain you experience. Doing so helps to validate your need for assistance.
Getting the approval that you need for your disability claim doesn't have to be difficult if you know what to do. If you need help, consider contacting a professional who handles disability claims.
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