A problem that we don’t hear discussed much is that many folks have no idea how to fill out an application — yet the information they put down may later be used against them. Information in the function report and the third-party report is what most frequently lands folks in trouble. With that in mind, we offer some tips:
- Go into your local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office and get the assistance of SSA personnel in filling out your application rather than doing it online.
- Fill out all other forms completely.
- Bring with you a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of care for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you’ve seen for your injury or illness and be sure to provide all of these in your application.
- Bring with you information about all medications and dosages and be sure to list all of these in your application. Note any that you have discontinued because they weren’t effective for you.
- Submit with your application as much medical evidence as you can. That means getting your own medical record, including hospital records, doctor’s reports, and treatment notes.
- List ALL of your medical conditions, not just the one that is the worst. SSA will look at all of your conditions together and consider how they affect you. A medical condition that you leave out might limit you from work in a manner that you did not think of.
- Your application should include a complete work history that describes the jobs you’ve held over the past fifteen years. But don’t inflate your credentials. This list of prior jobs and the responsibilities you had in each job will be used by the vocational expert, should your case go to hearing, to assess what you still may be capable of doing.
- If, after you submit your Social Security application, you’re asked for more information or paper work, respond promptly.
- SSA will send you a Function Report SSA- 3733 about how you are limited in your day-to-day functioning. Fill it out completely but don’t exaggerate what you can do! If your case goes to hearing, you may be asked to explain any inconsistencies between your testimony and what you said in your report.
- You will have an opportunity to have a function report filled out by someone else. Make sure it’s someone who knows you well and let them know the importance of filling it out completely and with all details. Make sure that they understand the importance of not exaggerating your ability to function.