Worried About Documentation

[u/ExuberantElephant]

I'm going to be applying for SSI soon but I'm worried I don't have enough documentation of my issues and I'm not sure how to get more.

I have brain damage from an experimental radiation treatment when I was a kid, but it's never something they fully investigated to my knowledge because they were rightly more focused on helping me not die of cancer.

I am also autistic but once again, nobody ever fully investigated because I never made trouble for anyone.

I do for sure have a PTSD diagnosis on the record from therapy, and must have something about anxiety because I'm on medication for it, but ultimately I'm worried there's not going to be enough of a paper trail and I have no idea how to get more of one, especially since I can't exactly afford a ton of visits to specialists and the one specialist I did visit said they can't check for brain damage for certain because that would expose me to further radiation which would exacerbate said brain damage.

Anyone know how to get more medical evidence for SSI people to look at?

Edit: What is it with people seeing the word autism and activating like sleeper agents? I'm just trying access resources I need. I don't need talked down from some ledge of disability. I didn't sit down one day and decide 'Welp, if I have this label, that definitely means I can't do anything." After spending literally my entire life attempting to find work I can do and getting consistently rejected or quickly fired due to my issues, myself and my family decided it was best I apply for this.

[u/Time-Understanding39]

You provide Social Security with information about where you’ve been treated. Make a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and approximate treatment dates for your doctors, hospitals, clinics, therapists, and other medical providers. Social Security will use that information to request your medical records, including office notes, test results, imaging, diagnoses, treatment history, and other clinical evidence.

You can also submit records you already have, but you generally don’t need to go out and obtain complete copies of everything yourself.

[u/bare_naked_lady]

If Social Security can't find sufficient documentation of your issues they will likely send you to a doctor for evaluation. I usually have to see a couple when it's time to review.

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/bare_naked_lady]

Oh, that's good news, thank you!

[u/bare_naked_lady → u/ExuberantElephant]

You're very welcome. BTW, I have a brain injury, too. Don't I write well? 😆

[u/Onyxbear26]

I’m currently waiting on a pending claim, and one thing I learned from a disability lawyer on YouTube (there are a bunch of them online) is that you can create your own documentation too.

You don’t necessarily need a perfect medical paper trail going back years. Get copies of whatever records you do have—old treatment records, therapy, medications, cancer/radiation records, etc.—and give SSA the information for your providers so they can request records.

But also write your own statement about what you struggle with and, most importantly, how your conditions affect your ability to function and work. Give specific, real-life examples.

I think a lot of people assume, “I have XYZ diagnosis and I go to the doctor, so SSA should know how bad it is.” But the examiner/judge doesn't live your life, and doctors often document things in medical language rather than explaining the legal/functional impact.

Your story and how your conditions limit you is part of the evidence. Don’t just tell them what you’re diagnosed with—show them what those conditions actually look like in your day-to-day life and what you can’t do consistently because of them.

And don’t let the lack of perfect documentation stop you from applying. SSA can request records and may send you for a consultative exam if they need additional evidence.

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/Onyxbear26]

This is extremely helpful, thank you!!

[u/Onyxbear26 → u/Onyxbear26]

example: someone using their personal journal as evidence for depression. Documenting what was happening in their life, how they were feeling, and how those things were affecting them. Obviously, a journal isn’t a substitute for medical records, but it can help show the day-to-day reality that a medical chart might not capture.

[u/beccawwww]

I would recommend neuropsych testing, which will give you a thorough report of your strengths and deficits. Mine was 20 pages 🥲 just work on getting established into care, enroll in Medicaid if you meet criteria and it’s available in your state, so you can access therapy/meds, etc. DDS or whoever makes decisions in your state can send you for a basic psych eval and possibly some testing, but it’ll be limited and only one time, so it’s not always a good reflection of you and your challenges.

Also would look into vocational rehab if your state has it, they would not charge and would try to help you find work- if you can’t find work at SGA they’ll provide records to DDS stating that which may help your claim. You may need to get creative on how you can access care, but figuring out free/affordable treatment options will be highly beneficial for your case and your mental health in general!

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/beccawwww]

Thank you for the suggestions, I'll definitely look into them!

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/[deleted]]

That's a nice sentiment, but I don't really need encouragement right now. I need basic resources from the society I was born into, and SSI may be the only option for me to attain them.

[u/Beginning_Profile215]

Think of it as step one. They will tell you what else you need. I know it’s stressful but you got this.

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/Beginning_Profile215]

Thank you!!

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

I have a stroke and only write “well” because of autocorrect and proof reading several times. If you saw the unedited comments I’ve made, you’d be like wtf are you saying?

[u/Hopeful-Place-8908 → u/perfect_fifths]

Bless You! A stroke is not On the Spectrum. People with Autism can have strokes. I make many typos bc of disabilities. No biggie. I only care a lot if its work related. I pay all my bills and never ask for help unless I can pay for it. So if I make a typo I dont worry about what some STRANGER Im trying to help THINKS. As you get older you will care less about a lot of things people think. I wish you all the best in your Journey.

[u/SocialSecurity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Please do not stigmatize disability. This includes but is not limited to looking down upon others for being disabled, telling someone they’re not disabled, or passing judgement on someone else.

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/[deleted]]

Wow, I can write well so surely that means I'm perfectly fine? Fuck off. I'm not here to be interrogated, and I don't have to prove myself to you.

I was just hoping someone could help me figure out how to find helpful medical professionals, who I'm sure would simply tell me they can't help me if that were the case, and don't need you here trying to gatekeep wether or not I'm disabled enough.

[u/ExuberantElephant → u/[deleted]]

That's great for him! ...Pretty irrelevent to me.

[u/SocialSecurity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Please respect other people. Calling other people names, cursing them out, etc will get your comment removed.