How Can I Use Form SSA-795 To Be Approved For Social Security Disability Benefits?

Hi, friends, we are back today to talk about Social Security’s Form SSA-795. This form is used to obtain certified statements from applicants (claimants) or other people that know about your illness and limitations.

This is a great form to use when you are building your claim of evidence for Social Security Disability benefits.

Keep reading to learn more.

This is an official SSA form used for disability determinations. Even simpler, this is a form used for written testimony.

Social Security Disability benefits are managed by the SSA, a federal agency. Applying for these benefits is somewhat like filing your taxes. Just as the IRS requires various forms and schedules, the SSA has its own set of forms that must be completed. Just as you need to provide documentation to prove income and deductions on your tax return, you must provide similar evidence to the SSA to prove your eligibility for benefits.

Your application is only one part of the process. The other part is your claim of evidence, which includes all required SSA forms and supporting documents.

In essence, when applying for disability benefits, the responsibility to provide proof of your disability falls on you. You need to demonstrate that you meet the criteria.

As Disability Experts, we have many strategies that we use to prove that someone is eligible for disability benefits. One of those strategies is using Form SSA-795.

Here are the situations in which we would use this form.

Applicants

I use Form SSA-795 when there is an issue within the claim that needs to be explained. For example:

The applicant was an alcoholic, but has been sober for three years. The medical records indicate that the applicant is still drinking.

In this situation I would ask the applicant write a statement about their sobriety. I would ask them to include:

• How they stopped drinking

• The date they stopped drinking

• What they are doing to stay sober.

If there were any instances of a relapse, I would ask the applicant to explain the relapse.

Another example would be if SSA sent you to a doctor for an exam. If that exam did not go well, I would ask the applicant to write a statement describing the exam experience and submit it to SSA.

If there is anything in your claim that would be better understood if it were explained, use Form SSA-795. This is your opportunity to speak directly to the person that will determine if your disability application is approved or denied.

Witnesses

I use Form SSA-795 to capture written testimony from witnesses. This would be anyone that has first-hand knowledge about your medical condition and your functional abilities (your ability to do things at home or when you are away from home).

If your husband has to help you with chores around the house because you can no longer hold out to do them, ask him to write a statement about what you did in the past and what you can do now. He can also describe ways that you have found to make life easier since you have been sick. Or maybe he could talk about how you have become depressed and refused to leave the home since you became sick.

Someone who has known you before and after you became sick will always be the best witnesses because they can describe how you have changed and how that change has impacted you.

Employers

I use Form SSA-795 if the applicant is still working or if there is an income issue that would impact eligibility.

Sometimes, employers will go above and beyond to help their employees when they become sick. They may allow you to go home early, but still pay you for a full day. Sometimes smaller companies will continue to pay employees after they stop working because they care about their employee’s well-being.

This is such an awesome thing to do for another human being, but it becomes a problem with a disability application. The employer may still be paying wages through a paycheck and unless SSA is aware of the arrangement with the employer — they will think you are still working above substantial gainful activities (SGA) and deny your application.

Do you see how that can be confusing?

If you have any work or earnings after the date that you claim that you became disabled, please ask your employer to complete SSA Form-795 to explain the arrangement. You can also complete the form to explain any earnings after the date you claim you became disabled.

Clinicians

If you have a long-standing relationship with your doctor, you can ask if they would write a statement about your condition on SSA Form-795.

This strategy is helpful in conditions such as Long COVID. We do not know enough about this condition to determine how long it will last and if it will improve or get worse. Since we do not know much, I would ask the doctor to write a statement regarding how Long COVID impacts your life. The doctor’s statement and opinion would be beneficial in this type of claim.

If you have an unusual medical condition or unusual restrictions, try to get your doctor to complete SSA Form-795 so SSA better understands how your condition impacts your daily activities.

Conclusion

There are several scenarios where SSA Form-795 is utilized, as witness statements can differ significantly. I highly recommend reviewing all your medical records for any inconsistencies, errors, or potential issues. Use SSA Form-795 to document these concerns and provide clarifications to resolve any confusion. This approach will aid the SSA in making a timely decision on your application or appeal.

Have you used SSA Form-795? How did you use it? Please share in the comments.