How to Apply for Disability in Pennsylvania
Filing for disability is the same in every state, including Pennsylvania, because it is done through a federal system. The key to winning a disability claim is having to prove that you are disabled and do not have the same ability to work as everyone else. This task can seem daunting, but educating yourself on the laws regarding disability before applying will be a tremendous help in winning your case.
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Instructions
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Research the disability laws thoroughly before applying your claim. Many disability cases are denied because the person filing is not fully prepared to prove that he is disabled enough to deserve benefits.
The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania has resources (news and information) to help with such research. You can find the link in Resources.
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Apply for disability via the Internet, mail, telephone or directly at the disability office. You can apply for disability without a lawyer. The contact information for offices in Pennsylvania include:
Bureau of Disability Determination
351 Harvey Avenue
Greensburg Pennsylvania 15605
724-836-5100Bureau of Disability Determination
1171 S. Cameron Street, Room 104
Harrisburg Pennsylvania 17104
717-783-3620Bureau of Disability Determination
P.O. Box R
Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania 18702
570-824-8971Online: drnpa.org/
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Hire a lawyer to review your claim before filing or have the lawyer do all of the application work for you. This step is not necessary, but can help immensely in winning your claim.
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Supply all pertinent personal information for your claim. Your full medical history is required and should include dates of services, names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors or clinics where you have received treatment. To save time, have copies of the records ready instead of waiting for officials to retrieve them.
You will need a work history that supplies information on the past 15 years regarding all jobs that you have worked and what kind of work was involved in those jobs.
You will need to also provide your educational background.
And you must supply information detailing at what age you became disabled.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are asked for more information after you have applied be sure to supply it immediately.
List all of your medical conditions, not just the most critical ones.
When supplying medical information be sure to include all medical records, doctor reports and treatment notes.
References
Resources
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