Writing a Claimant Statement for SSDI Appeal
TL;DR: A claimant statement describes how your condition affects daily life in your own words. Be specific: use time durations, distances, and concrete examples. Describe a typical day hour by hour, explain what you can no longer do, and detail your worst days. Avoid medical jargon and vague statements like "I hurt all the time." Instead: "I can sit for about 15 minutes before back pain forces me to stand up. I need to lie down for 2 hours every afternoon." Submit your statement with your appeal evidence.
Your medical records show what doctors found. Your claimant statement shows what your life actually looks like. The SSA needs both to make a fair determination.
What to Cover
A typical day
Walk through your day hour by hour. What time do you wake up? How long does it take to get going? What do you do (or try to do) during the day? When do you rest? What does bedtime look like?
Activities you have stopped doing
List specific activities you used to do but no longer can: cooking meals, mowing the lawn, grocery shopping alone, driving long distances, attending social events, exercising, working on hobbies.
Activities you do with difficulty
For things you can still do, explain the struggle: "I can shower, but I have to sit on a shower chair and it takes 30 minutes instead of 10." "I can do a load of laundry, but carrying the basket causes pain for the rest of the day."
Help you need from others
Describe what family members do for you: cooking, cleaning, driving you to appointments, helping with personal care, managing medications.
Bad days
Describe your worst days: what triggers them, what they feel like, how long they last, what you cannot do during them, how many you have per month.
Writing Tips
| Weak | Strong |
|---|---|
| "I'm in pain." | "My lower back pain is usually a 6 or 7 out of 10. On bad days it's a 9 and I can't get off the couch." |
| "I can't do much." | "I can be on my feet for about 10 minutes at a time. After that I have to sit or lie down." |
| "I'm depressed." | "I don't leave the house most days. I haven't seen friends in months. I spend most of the day in bed or on the couch watching TV without really following it." |
Submit With Your Appeal
Include your claimant statement when you submit new evidence at reconsideration or before your ALJ hearing. It complements the medical evidence and gives the decision-maker a real picture of your life.
ClaimPath's Appeal Pack ($49) includes claimant statement templates tailored to your conditions.
Start your appeal preparation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about writing a claimant statement for ssdi appeal?
TL;DR: A claimant statement describes how your condition affects daily life in your own words. Be specific: use time durations, distances, and concrete examples. Describe a typical day hour by hour, explain what you can no longer do, and detail your worst days.
What to Cover?
Walk through your day hour by hour. What time do you wake up? How long does it take to get going?
What should I know about submit with your appeal?
Include your claimant statement when you submit new evidence at reconsideration or before your ALJ hearing. It complements the medical evidence and gives the decision-maker a real picture of your life.