SS File Contents
W hen you file your claim, you will be asked to sign a number of blank medical authorization forms. You can also download this form, called the SSA 827, here. In general, you should include two or three of these signed authorization forms whenever you submit any document to Social Security.
The documents that Social Security uses to decide your claim include:
- medical records from doctors, hospitals and medical providers who have examined or treated you. This includes the reports from doctors or psychologists who have examined you at the request of Social Security. Note that doctors are trained to keep records about every patient they see, even if it is a one-time visit for 10 minutes
- statements from friends, co-workers and relatives
- claim application documents, including your initial application, your appeals, and SSA’s denials or other responses
- evaluations by physicians and psychologists who have not met you personally but who have evaluated the medical records in your file and issued written reports for the claims rep
- anything else you may have sent in
In some areas, your claims rep will advise you in writing if she is having difficulty obtaining medical records. In busier jurisdictions, you will not discover that medical records are missing until you receive a denial notice.
Although you do not want to overburden your claims rep with duplicate paper, there is nothing wrong with submitting copies of medical records that you may have in your possession. A sample submission letter is here.
W hile Social Security personnel are required to develop your file, you should take an active role in confirming that all relevant medical records have reached your file.
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