Suffering a disability that keeps you from working could make you fear for your future. Applying for Social Security Disability may be an option for you, but you will have to provide clear medical evidence of your condition for Social Security to approve your claim. However, Social Security might require more evidence to evaluate your condition.
Sometimes the Social Security Administration finds that an applicant has not provided enough evidence for the agency to determine if the applicant has a qualifying disability. If this happens in your case, Social Security may take steps to acquire more information on your condition.
Ask sources for additional information
It is possible that your medical evidence could be enough to support your case except for some missing data or ambiguous information. If so, Social Security will contact your doctor or other medical sources to ask for more information or to clarify a point in your evidence that may not be clear.
Request a consultative examination
In the event your medical evidence is not comprehensive enough, Social Security may request that you undergo a consultative examination. The goal of the CE is to accurately evaluate your condition and provide information on how your state of health impedes your ability to work.
Social Security generally prefers that your treating doctor perform the CE. In some cases, this might not be possible. Your doctor may not specialize in the medical field necessary to perform the exam. If so, an independent medical source will examine you.
Help your claim with the right evidence
You might avoid delays with your application by knowing what evidence to provide to Social Security. In addition to medical evidence from your doctor, Social Security may want additional information from your clinic, hospital or another medical facility that you had visited. Nonmedical sources such as your relatives, caregiver, or a social welfare worker could also contribute evidence for your claim.