Witness Letters – for Social Security Disability Claimants
What is a witness letter and why do I need one for my Social Security Disability case?
A witness letter is a letter written by someone who knows you and has seen the struggles caused by your disability. The letter may describe your struggles, recount specific examples, or describe the changes in your daily life or relationships.
Who can write a witness letter?
Anyone who knows you can write a witness letter on your behalf. Many people ask their spouses, siblings, or grown children. Friends, neighbors, acquaintances from church or other activities, and even former employers can all draft witness letters for you.
What is the point of having witness letters? Doesn’t my medical file contain enough proof?
In some cases, your medical file may be enough proof for the judge to assess your disability. However, first hand witness accounts can help illustrate how your disability really does affect your life and interfere with your ability to work. Medical records are very important, and you must have them. But witness letters help the judge picture how the evidence in your medical reports actually translate to your daily life. We want to make it easy for the judge to make his or her decision by removing any doubt or question.
What should my witness letters say?
When the time comes to gather witness letters, your attorney may provide you with a detailed memo to give to your witnesses. This memo will suggest ideas that your witness may want to touch upon. The memo will also outline areas that your witness should avoid. The most important things to include are specific examples of your struggles. Details are important.
Sample witness letter:
To Whom it May Concern,
I have been asked to write a witness letter for John Smith, my neighbor. John and I have lived next door to each other for 8 years, and our families are good friends.
Before John’s car accident, we used to have cookouts for our families during the summer. John and I had competitions to see who could make the tastiest ribs and the best hamburgers. We were also competitive with our yards and gardens. We each tried to outdo the other by having the greenest grass, the biggest tomatoes, and so forth. We also watched football games together.
Since John’s car accident, he can no longer do any of these things with me. He is in so much pain all the time. He cannot stand long enough to grill burgers, and cannot sit long enough to watch football. He is constantly having to change positions, to try and get comfortable. He just sits, stands, sits, lies down. He can never get comfortable.
John is no longer able to mow his own lawn because he cannot stand long enough or push the weight of the mower. I have been cutting his grass for him. John’s garden is a mess. It is full of weeds, and no vegetables at all. He cannot squat or bend to plant and pull weeds. When he tried to plant some tomatoes, he ended up being in so much pain that he gave up, took a pain pill, and spent the rest of the day in bed.
John seems to be depressed now, too. He gets angry easily, and rarely smile or laughs. He seems to be in pain, every time I visit with him. We use to talk sports and make jokes, but he no longer has any interest in these things.
If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am happy to help.
Thank you,
Danny Jones
Do you need help applying for Social Security Disability?
If you are disabled and need help navigating the Social Security Disability system. Contact Deborah at The Hardin Law Firm, PLC, for help with your SSD appeal and hearing.
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is intended to convey general information. It should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. It is not an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship.
This page was originally published: April 17, 2015.
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