10 Winning Tips In A Social Security Disability & SSI Case

Legal Author - Travis Hansen, Esq.
Updated - September 1, 2025

Get Necessary Medical Treatment

This may seem obvious, but it is a common problem with Social Security and SSI disability cases. Your medical records are the single most important aspect of your case. Medical records explain your diagnoses, symptoms, treatment, and limitations. Medical records are the necessary evidence you must have to establish a basis for the limitations that you say keep you from working (your theory of disability). And your medical records cannot do that if you are not getting proper treatment. The medical system has many problems, and it is not always responsive to one's needs. However, you must be persistent about the medical care you need - testing, treatment, medications, and assessments of your overall medical condition. If you are frustrated, and you feel you cannot get the treatment you need on your own, ask a friend or a family member for help. Your disability case begins with your proper medical care.

Tell Social Security About All Your Medical Records

All Providers. It is very common that claimants do not inform Social Security or their attorney of a provider because they thought Social Security or their attorney knew about the provider, would find out about the provider on their own, the provider's information would be included in other medical records, etc. Then, it is very common that the medical records are not included in the client's file. Take the time to inform Social Security or your attorney of all your medical providers during the period of time you allege disability. Moreover, give the complete contact information. If you do not know the contact information, find out. Nothing is more important to your case than your medical records, and if Social Security or your attorney cannot get, locate, or order them, they will not be included in your file to prove your case.

Get Some Records Yourself. Social Security will make reasonable efforts to get your medical records. You may need to get some of your own medical records if you have had very new medical treatment, your medical records are very old, your medical records are in another country, or your provider no longer has your medical records.

Know The Basics Of Social Security Disability Criteria

Social Security's disability criteria are the rules it uses to determine whether you are disabled. You do not need to know all the gritty details, but, you should understand at least an overview. If you know the rules of the game you play, you will be able to play the game better. If you know the disability criteria, you will know what you need to prove to win your case - Overview Of Social Security & SSI Disability.

Understand How Your Limitations Support Your Theory Of Disability

This one is often overlooked. Claimants don't understand it, representatives/lawyers are too busy or incompetent to determine it, and Social Security won't tell it to you. Your theory of disability is your argument why you are disabled. In other words, it is an explanation of how your functional limitations allow you to meet Social Security's disability criteria. You must understand, and stay focused on, your theory of disability so that you are able to obtain the necessary evidence needed to prove to prove your case - Limitations & Social Security's Disability Criteria.

Get A Statement From Your Medical Provider

This point is very important. Social Security has hired doctors to review your file - Disability Determination Services (DDS). Social Security may hire a doctor to evaluate you - a consultative exam (CE). Social Security may also hire a doctor, a medical expert (ME), to appear at your hearing. If you have been denied for medical reasons, your file contains these doctor statements that state your limitations are not severe enough to be considered disabled. A statement from your doctor will give Social Security a different point of view and give the Social Security medical evidence on which to base a favorable decision. Other than your medical records overall, there is no better evidence in your case than a treating doctor statement that you have limitations that disabled you - Doctor Statements And What Social Security Looks For.

Get A Statement From Your Friend

A lay statement from you friend, family member, co-worker, supervisor, classmate, teacher, etc. is important because that person will describe your limitations. A lay statement gives Social Security a different, independent, and corroborating opinion about your limitations. For Social Security, the more opinions you are disabled, the better - Lay Person Statements & What Social Security Looks For.

Fill Out Your Social Security Forms Correctly

You will fill out most forms at the beginning of your case at the initial and reconsideration levels (if your area has a reconsideration level). You will fill out some at the hearing level, and very few if any after that. Social Security relies on your form answers. The forms are not written extremely well. Often, claimants do not, or are not able to, adequately explain their limitations well. If you are denied, Social Security will use your statements on the forms against you. Take your time on the forms, answer truthfully, and make sure you are very complete in explaining your activities and limitations - Social Security Disability Forms: What Social Security Looks At.

Be Credible

Being credible means you are believable. If you were denied for medical reasons, Social Security did not find you credible. It did not believe you that your symptoms and limitations are as bad as you allege them to be. If you win your case, Social Security did find you credible. Credibility is combination of many factors - some you can control, others you cannot. You should be honest, fair, and respectful. You should not exaggerate, be inconsistent in your answers or with your medical records, or forget a lot. A good work record, an education, and a working spouse helps your credibility. The same is true with following medical treatment, avoiding activities inconsistent with your alleged limitations, and avoiding drug and alcohol abuse. Credibility also means focusing on the issues when talking with a Social Security employee, answering the questions asked, and staying on track when following your theory of disability - Credibility In A Social Security Disability & SSI Case.

Appeal Your Case

If you are denied, you will have a period of time to appeal your case - usually 60 days. If you do not appeal, your case ends. If you are truly disabled, you must appeal and pursue your case. Being disabled can be extremely frustrating. It is difficult to live life without income, suffering symptoms, and trying to survive. But don't give up on your case. If you miss an appeal, you may be able to file a good cause statement why you missed the deadline. Otherwise, reapply. But, a new application is not the same as an appeal as you will most likely lose benefits. If you are denied, appeal - Application & Appeals Process - Social Security Disability.

Get A Representative Or Lawyer If You Have A Hearing

Many people ask me if they need a representative/lawyer. Circumstances vary, and so do my responses - sometimes a claimant needs a lawyer, and sometimes they can handle their case on their own. However, if your next appeal is a Hearing, you nearly always need help, and you should hire a representative/lawyer. There are two reasons for this. First, if you have an upcoming hearing, you have already been denied, and in most areas, you have been denied twice (initial and reconsideration levels). Therefore, Social Security has already concluded you do not meet its rules. Your case needs someone with experience to look at it and determine what areas need attention so that you can prove disability. Second, if you lose your hearing, appeals are very difficult to win. Appeals are easy up to the point of a hearing - you get one as long as you request one. After a hearing loss, Social Security decides if they will hear your appeal argument. And successful appeals at the Appeals Council are an extreme longshot. Your odds are slightly better at the federal court level, but, not by much. Also, an appeal after a hearing usually takes 3-5 years before you get another hearing, if at all.

If you are at the initial or reconsideration level, you may need a lawyer depending on specific details of your case. If you are at the hearing level, get yourself a good representative/lawyer. If you are unsure if you need a lawyer, call us, and we will tell you.