What Steps Should I Take in Applying for Disability Benefits?

1. Consider consulting with a disability benefits attorney as the first step in process. Remember, you are bound by whatever you say in your application and what the doctors say in their letters once they are submitted, so you want to make sure everything is submitted completely, carefully and truthfully.  It is prudent to consult an attorney as early as possible. Disability benefit application forms are drafted in favor and for the benefit of the insurance company, not the employee applicant. These forms often contain landmines for unwary. Employee’s answers that are not carefully crafted, can ruin the entire disability benefit claim. Professional help is highly recommended.

2. In addition to the form that your medical doctors complete, it is advisable to have them write a narrative report describing your disability. Your doctor should address the following:

• your relevant medical history;

• confirm your diagnosis;

• explain your disease or injury;

• give an opinion as to whether you are totally disabled (this should be tied into how total disability is defined in your plan, i.e. your job or any job);

• explain why you cannot do your job and how your specific symptoms prevent work;

• cite objective evidence in support of disability (test results, X-Ray, MRI’s, etc); and of course,

• a statement of your prognosis.

3.  Obtain from your local library or from reputable internet sources, like www.webmd.com, information about your illness and how it can be disabling (especially if if you have a rare illness). Insurance companies don’t necessarily know details of each type of illness. It helps to educate the insurance company. Articles written by prestigious doctors and institutions can be helpful.