If you have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) but do not have insurance or money to visit a doctor, you may be wondering if you can be approved for benefits. The truth is, without medical evidence, it becomes much harder to win your claim for SSDI or SSI benefits. This is because in order to prove disability, there has to be medical evidence of a condition that exists, and is expected to exist for at least twelve months, that prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity.
However, if you do not have your own treating doctors, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can send you to a consultative examination (CE). A CE is a brief exam performed by a doctor SSA pays to examine you.
While a CE can be helpful to your claim, unfortunately, they provide SSA with a small snapshot of your condition. Therefore, the best thing to do is to try to see a medical provider in your area.
If you are local to Jacksonville, you may be able to be seen at UF Health Jacksonville through the city contract program. If you are in St. Johns County, you may be able to be seen by the doctors at Azalea Health. It is strongly encouraged to be seen by your own doctors so that you have medical evidence to show SSA when it comes to proving your disability.
If you have a pending disability claim, or have recently been denied SSDI or SSI benefits, contact an attorney today.