Should I talk to my doctor before applying for Social Security disability benefits?
If you have a long-standing history with your doctor, it is often a good idea to speak with your doctor early on during the Social Security disability application process.
Here are some things you should discuss:
Let your doctor know that you are applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Ask your doctor if he or she feels that you are disabled? Does your doctor think you would be able to do some type of full-time work?
Is the doctor willing to write a statement to Social Security, or fill out a form from your lawyer, about your limitations?
Even if not, ask your doctor would be willing to help out in some other way. The doctor may have a suggestion that might help your case.
Keep in mind that depending on your age you may not need to prove that you cannot perform any kind of work to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
When does Social Security review cases for premature babies?
Social Security may approve Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to children with a low birth weight (regardless or whether the child is premature).
According to the Social Security regulations, these cases are often reviewed by the child’s first birthday.
When we will conduct a continuing disability review. … we will start a continuing disability review …
By your first birthday, if you are a child whose low birth weight was a contributing factor material to our determination that you were disabled; i.e., whether we would have found you disabled if we had not considered your low birth weight. However, we will conduct your continuing disability review later if at the time …
Premature and low birth weight babies may qualify for Social Security disability benefits
Under Social Security regulations low birth weight babies may qualify for Social Security disability (Supplemental Security Income – SSI) benefits.
It is important to note that Social Security does not specifically consider whether the child is premature or not. Social Security considers the birth weight of the child:
“Low birth weight” is defined as a birth weight under 1,200 grams (2 pounds 10 ounces) or under 2,000 grams and small for gestational age.
Social Security does provide SSI disability benefits to certain low birth weight infants, whether or not they are premature. A child who weighs less than 1200 grams (about 2 pounds, 10 ounces) at birth can qualify …
