How Third-Party Statements (Form SSA-3380-BK) Can Strengthen Your SSDI Claim
Filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) requires strong medical evidence to prove your condition prevents you from working. While medical records provide clinical proof, they don’t always capture the daily struggles of living with a disability. This is where third-party statements—also known as lay witness statements—become invaluable.
These personal accounts offer real-world insight into how your condition affects your daily life and ability to function.
What Are Third-Party Statements?
A third-party statement is a written account from someone who knows you well and can describe how your disability impacts your everyday activities. Unlike medical records, which focus on diagnoses and test results, these statements add a personal dimension to your claim. They provide context that medical evidence alone might miss.
Click here to download the THIRD PARTY Form SSA-3380-BK – Function Report
Who Can Provide a Third-Party Statement?
According to the SSA, people who can provide third-party statements include:
- Family members
- Friends
- Caregivers
- Coworkers or supervisors
- Social workers or community members
These individuals can offer different perspectives on how your disability limits your ability to work, move, think, or perform daily activities.
Why Are Third-Party Statements Important?
Key Roles in an SSDI Claim:
- Provide Personal Insight: Third-party statements detail how the condition affects daily life, such as struggles with personal care, memory issues, or mobility limitations.
- Corroborate Medical Evidence: If a doctor reports limited movement due to arthritis, a spouse’s statement describing difficulty dressing or cooking strengthens that evidence.
- Help the SSA Evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): The SSA examines how a disability affects your ability to perform ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals. Statements from those who witness these struggles daily can be powerful supporting evidence.
- Support Appeals: If a claim is denied, these statements can be used to strengthen an appeal by adding more personal accounts.
What Information Should a Third-Party Statement Include?
A strong third-party statement should include:
- Specific examples of daily struggles – e.g., “John can no longer drive due to chronic pain and needs assistance with grocery shopping.”
- Observations of physical or mental limitations – e.g., “Sarah frequently forgets appointments and needs reminders to take her medication.”
- Details on changes in behavior or personality – e.g., “Since his accident, Mark has become withdrawn and struggles with anxiety in social settings.”
- Honest and accurate information.
Example Statement Template:
- Your Name and Relationship: “I, Jane Doe, am the sister of John Doe and have known him for 40 years.”
- Observations of Disability Impact: “I have witnessed John struggle with severe back pain. He can no longer bend to tie his shoes and relies on assistance to perform basic tasks like cooking.”
- Concluding Support Statement: “Based on my observations, I strongly believe John is unable to maintain gainful employment due to his condition.”
How to Obtain Effective Third-Party Statements
Best Practices:
- Ask the Right People: Choose individuals who see your daily struggles firsthand.
- Provide Clear Guidelines: Instruct them to focus on specific limitations rather than just expressing general support.
- Ensure Statements Are Detailed and Credible: Vague statements like “He has a hard time” are less effective than specific details.
- Stress the Importance of Honesty: False information can damage the claim.
- Obtain Statements Early: Do not wait until the last minute.
How to Submit Third-Party Statements
Third-party statements should be submitted directly to the SSA along with your SSDI claim. You can:
- Include them in your initial application.
- Submit them as additional evidence during an appeal.
- Provide them to an administrative law judge if your case reaches a hearing.
Statements should be signed, dated, and sent to your local SSA office or submitted online if applicable.
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
- Vague statements.
- Statements that contradict medical evidence.
- Statements from individuals with limited knowledge of the applicant’s daily life.
- False information.
Third-party statements add a crucial human element to your SSDI claim, strengthening your case by demonstrating how your disability affects daily life. You can improve your chances of a successful claim by gathering compelling statements from credible witnesses and correctly filling out Form SSA-3380.
Start collecting statements early and ensure they align with your medical evidence to maximize their impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who should write a third-party statement?
Anyone who has regular contact with you and can describe your daily struggles, such as family members, friends, caregivers, or former coworkers.
Can a third-party statement replace medical evidence?
No, third-party statements support but do not replace medical evidence. They add context to how your condition affects daily life.
How long should a third-party statement be?
It should be concise but detailed—typically one to two pages with specific examples of limitations.
Where should I send third-party statements?
Statements should be submitted with your SSDI application, appeal, or during a disability hearing.
