SSDI/SSI Claim Exhibit Guide
A practical guide to organizing medical records, RFC opinions, and daily living evidence for ALJ disability hearings.
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Label Your ExhibitsImportant: This guide is an informational resource prepared to the best of our knowledge and does not constitute legal advice for your specific situation. You remain responsible for all due diligence and ensuring that your filings conform to applicable court rules. For legal advice about your specific case, consult with a licensed attorney or your local court's self-help center.
Social Security disability claims are decided using a five-step sequential evaluation (20 C.F.R. section 404.1520). The ALJ looks at whether you are working, whether your conditions are severe, whether they meet a listed impairment, whether you can do your past work, and whether you can do any other work. Your evidence needs to address each step. The strongest claims pair consistent medical treatment records with a treating doctor's residual functional capacity (RFC) opinion that describes your specific limitations -- how long you can sit, stand, walk, lift, and concentrate. Under SSR 16-3p, the ALJ evaluates your symptoms based on objective medical evidence and your daily activities, not a subjective credibility determination. This guide covers what to gather and how to organize it.
Document Checklist
Medical treatment records
- Primary care records
Complete treatment notes from your main doctor
- Specialist records
Orthopedic, neurological, pain management, or other specialist notes
- Mental health records
Therapy notes, psychiatric evaluations, and counseling records
- Hospital and ER records
Admissions, discharges, and emergency visits
- Lab and imaging results
Blood work, MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, and diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy records
Treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries
Medical opinions and RFC
- Treating doctor RFC opinion
Residual functional capacity form -- the most important document in your case
- Mental RFC opinion
Separate mental RFC from your psychiatrist or psychologist if you have mental health conditions
- Consultative exam report
SSA-ordered examination results -- review these, they are sometimes inaccurate
- Specialist opinion letters
Letters from specialists explaining your limitations in plain language
Function and daily living evidence
- Adult Function Report (SSA-3373)
Your description of daily activities and how your conditions limit them
- Third-party function report
A family member or caregiver describing what they observe day to day
- Pain and symptom journal
Daily log of pain levels, bad days, activities you cannot do, and medication side effects
- Medication list
All current medications with dosages and documented side effects
Work history
- Work History Report (SSA-3369)
Physical and mental demands of every job you held in the past 15 years
- Earnings record (SSA-7050)
Your Social Security earnings history
- Employer statements
Letters about accommodations provided or performance issues related to your conditions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1Not getting an RFC opinion from your treating doctor -- the ALJ weighs this heavily and it is the single most important document you can submit
- 2Gaps in treatment history that the ALJ interprets as improvement, when the real reason is you could not afford appointments
- 3Understating limitations on the daily activity questionnaire -- be honest about your worst days, not your best
- 4Not mentioning mental health conditions alongside physical ones -- many claimants have both and the combined effect matters
- 5Missing the 60-day deadline to request a hearing after a denial (SSA allows late filings for good cause, but do not rely on it)
Organization Tips
- Organize medical records chronologically within each provider -- ALJs read them this way
- Put your treating doctor's RFC opinion near the front of your exhibits. It is the document the ALJ looks for first.
- Tab records by provider so the ALJ can find specific sources quickly during the hearing
- Include your medication list with side effects documented -- drowsiness, fatigue, and concentration problems affect your RFC
- Make sure your daily activity questionnaire is consistent with your medical records -- contradictions hurt your case
- If you have both physical and mental conditions, organize them in separate sections with clear labels
Courtroom Preparation
- ALJ hearings are informal but the judge is evaluating you from the moment you sit down
- Answer questions honestly and specifically -- "I can stand for about 10 minutes before the pain starts" is better than "I can't stand very long"
- Know the five-step evaluation process. If you have a representative, they should walk you through it before the hearing.
- If the ALJ asks about daily activities, be consistent with what you wrote on the function report
- A vocational expert will testify about jobs you could hypothetically do. Listen carefully and your representative can cross-examine.
- Bring your medication bottles if you can -- it shows the ALJ your current treatment regimen
- You have the right to review your file before the hearing. Do it -- records are sometimes missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the five-step sequential evaluation?
The ALJ decides SSDI claims using five steps defined in 20 C.F.R. section 404.1520. Step 1: Are you working above substantial gainful activity ($1,550/month in 2024)? Step 2: Is your condition severe? Step 3: Does it meet or equal a listed impairment? Step 4: Can you do your past relevant work? Step 5: Can you do any other work? Most claims are decided at steps 4 and 5 based on your residual functional capacity.
What is an RFC and why is it so important?
A residual functional capacity opinion is a medical assessment of what you can still do despite your conditions. It specifies how long you can sit, stand, walk, and lift, plus any mental limitations. The ALJ uses these specific numbers to decide whether any jobs exist you could perform. Your treating doctor's RFC carries significant weight because they know your medical history.
How long does the SSDI process take?
The initial application takes 3 to 6 months. If denied, reconsideration takes another 3 to 6 months. An ALJ hearing typically takes 12 to 18 months after you request it, though wait times vary by hearing office. The Appeals Council adds another 6 to 12 months. Federal court review under 42 U.S.C. section 405(g) adds another year. Most successful claims are decided at the ALJ hearing level.
Do I need a lawyer for an SSDI hearing?
You can represent yourself, but claimants with representation win at higher rates. SSDI attorneys and non-attorney representatives typically work on contingency -- they collect 25% of back benefits, capped at $7,200, only if you win. This means you pay nothing upfront. A representative can help you get medical evidence, prepare for the hearing, and cross-examine the vocational expert.
What if the consultative exam report is wrong?
Consultative exams are SSA-ordered evaluations, often by doctors who spend 10 to 15 minutes with you. If the report contradicts your treating doctor's opinion, submit the treating doctor's records and RFC to rebut it. Point out specific inaccuracies: the examiner said you had full range of motion but your orthopedist documented otherwise. Your treating doctor's longitudinal evidence typically outweighs a one-time exam.
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