Every long-term disability case is unique, and individual law firms may have specific requirements for the initial consultation process. When scheduling an initial consultation with our firm for long-term disability (LTD), we don’t insist on any documentation upfront. However, in the case of litigation, we do require the denial Letter. Other necessary documents mentioned in this article will only be requested if we decide to proceed with the case. Continue reading to discover other essential documents you should be aware of when appeal for disability benefits.
Gathering Essential Documentation
Every case is different, and every claimant will need different information. But there are some documents that everyone needs, and many people don’t know what they are or how to access them. Before your consultation with one of our qualified disability benefits specialist, try to gather the following information:
Personal Information
You will need proof of your full legal name and contact information. Typically, the government wants some combination of the following to validate your identity:
- Your driver’s license
- Your Social Security card
- A valid passport
- A state-issued ID card
- Your birth certificate
If you have lost your birth certificate or Social Security card, you can contact the appropriate government agency to get a replacement. However, this often takes weeks or even months.
Employment Information
You will need to provide information about your employment history for at least 10 years before you became disabled. Typically, the easiest way to provide this is with pay stubs and W-2 forms.
Most employers these days keep digital records, so you should be able to access these records by contacting past employees even if you don’t have personal copies.
Medical Records
Medical records are the backbone of your Long-Term Disability Case. You will need documents related to the diagnosis of your disability and documents that provide a comprehensive medical history. These records should be extensive, including information like:
- The names and contact information of all treating physicians
- Past diagnoses and treatments
- Current medical treatments and prescribed medications
- Results of all tests
Furthermore, you want to have a report that describes how the disabling condition impacts your daily life. You may even ask for reports from multiple treating physicians to support your claim.
If you haven’t kept your medical records, this might be the most difficult task. Doctors may have retired, or medical records may have been lost.
Gather all the medical records you can before your consultation. Then, the long-term disability attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates will help you with hard-to-find documents. We have decades of experience tracking down missing records and know how to get the information that is critical to your claim.
Why You Should Schedule a Long-Term Disability Case Consultation
Getting approved for long-term disability can be the difference between living comfortably and struggling day to day. At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we help individuals nationwide gather the appropriate documents for their long-term disability claims.
