1. Why Updating Medical Records Matters

Updated medical records:

• Provide evidence of your ongoing condition and treatment
• Demonstrate the progression or stability of your disability
• Show that you are complying with recommended treatments, which supports your credibility
• Help SSA make faster and more favorable decisions on your claim

2. Identify Which Records Need Updating

Review your SSDI file and identify:

• Outdated records that no longer reflect your current condition
• Missing records from recent visits to doctors, specialists, therapists, or hospitals
• Any new diagnoses, test results, imaging studies, or treatment changes since your last submission

3. Request Updated Records from Your Providers

To update your medical evidence:

• Contact each doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital where you’ve received treatment
• Request complete records, including visit notes, lab results, imaging studies, and specialist reports
• Ask your primary physician for a medical source statement or detailed letter describing your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment plan, and specific work-related limitations

4. Submit Records to SSA Promptly

Once you receive updated records:

• Submit them directly to SSA as soon as possible
• If you have an online my Social Security account, upload documents securely there
• Alternatively, mail or fax the records to your local SSA office or Disability Determination Services (DDS) handling your claim

5. Keep Copies for Your Own Records

Always keep copies of all records you submit, along with:

• The date you sent them
• Confirmation of receipt, if available
• Notes about which provider they came from and what they include

This helps avoid confusion and ensures you can resend documents if SSA requests them again.

6. Continue Updating Throughout Your Claim

Even after submitting initial records:

• Keep updating SSA with new appointments, treatments, and test results
• If your condition worsens, ensure new evidence is submitted to reflect those changes
• If you are in the appeals process, updated records can significantly strengthen your case