If you are unable to work due to a disability or impairment, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must meet several conditions. You must be disabled for more than one year, your medical disability must prevent you from doing your regular job and you must be unable to adapt to other employment due to the disability.

If you think your qualify and are considering filing a claim, you will need to gather the appropriate documents to substantiate your claims. Follow this guideline to gather the appropriate information.

Medical Sources

The Social Security Administration only accepts documentation from "acceptable medical sources." This means you need to understand who and what those sources are if you want the SSA to take your evidence and documentation seriously.

• Medical or Osteopathic Doctors: The doctor must be licensed and should be a practicing doctor. This generally includes your primary care doctor and any specialists you have seen.
•  Psychologist:  A licensed psychologist is an acceptable source if your disability includes cognitive or psychological components, such as the ability to communicate, follow directions and perform work-related tasks.
• Speech Pathologist: A speech pathologist must be certified by the State in which he practices. His report can support your ability to communicate and understand directions or instructions correctly. It may address articulation (speaking clearly so others can understand you) or your ability to interpret language.
• Podiatrist: If you impairment or disability is related to foot and ankle problems, a podiatrist's report can support your claim.
• Optometrist:  A licensed optometrist can provide reports on visual acuity and visual fields if this is part of your disability.

Medical Evidence

A diagnosis of a medical condition is rarely sufficient to support a disability claim. The SSA system relies on medical evidence from treating sources. That means reports from doctors who have not treated your condition are less valued than those from doctors who have treated you over a course of months or years. Some sources of medical evidence from treating sources include:

• Your Primary Care Doctor: Your primary care provider's reports should document the nature of your disability and the extent to which it impairs your ability to perform work-related tasks.
• Emergency Room Visits: These reports can prove invaluable as they provide evidence of how your impairment affects your daily life.
• Clinics: Reports from clinics that you frequent also contain valuable information to verify the nature and duration of your impairments.

Necessary Information

Sometimes people are denied disability benefits because the doctor and medical reports lack the information they need to support the disability claim. This can occur when doctors and medical staff are too busy to fill the forms out thoroughly or simply don't understand what is required. You can improve your chances in a disability claim by verifying that the pertinent information is included in the report before you provide it to SSA. Here's what you will need.

• Medical History: This includes all conditions that may contribute to the disability, the date of onset and the duration of the symptoms.
• Clinical Findings: Clinical findings include the results of mental and physical performance tests that have been performed in the doctor's office or at a clinic. These may be informal assessments.
• Test Results: Test results include x-rays, blood work, MRIs, CT Scans, sonograms and other tests performed in laboratories, as well as tests performed in the office such as blood pressure measures or glucose tests.
• Diagnosis: If you suffer from multiple conditions that contribute to your disability make sure they are all listed.
• Treatment Plan:  This includes all treatments that have been tried, your response to the treatment and the prognosis of your condition.
• Limitations: The report should outline both the things you can do and tasks you cannot perform due to your disability or medical condition. This may include the ability to stand, lift objects, walk or attend to safety precautions.

If you are suffering from a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in full-time employment, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits, but you will need to provide evidence of your disability. You and your social security disability lawyer can get more information and improve the chances of you receiving benefits by providing accurate and up-to-date information to support your claim.