3. How do I prove I am disabled?
There are two ways to show disability:
First: You can prove disability for EAEDC without a medical review if:
- You received a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) approving you for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security (SSDI) but you do not have those benefits yet; or
- You have received a favorable SSI or SSDI decision from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) but are not yet receiving SSI or SSDI.
Second: You can qualify for EAEDC disability by getting your doctor to fill out an EAEDC Medical Report and by you filling out a Disability Supplement. (See Appendices B and C.) These documents and any other medical records available are then reviewed by the UMass Medical School Disability Evaluation Service (DES). See Question 11.
Advocacy Reminders:
- Once you have submitted your Medical Report and Disability Supplement, you can receive EAEDC benefits while the disability documents are under review at DES. This is called "presumptive eligibility."
- You do not need to submit a completed disability supplement and medical report if you received a letter from SSA or an ALJ that you are considered disabled for purposes of SSI or SSDI.
- If you actively participate in a Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) training program, you can verify disability with a letter from MRC. You also will not need to submit a completed disability supplement or medical report.