1. Write the letter in your own words simply describing the claimant's life based on what you personally observe, not on what others have told you.
2. Explain your relationship to the claimant, how long you've known him or her, and how often you get to see or talk with him or her.
3. Important principles to follow: Tell the truth. Don't exaggerate, but don't minimize the claimant's difficulties. Write from personal knowledge -- your own observations. Provide relevant details and examples but don't ramble.
4. If you have known the claimant for a long time, describe how the claimant has changed since becoming ill or disabled, describing his or her life both before and after the disability began. In particular, give specific examples of activities or tasks the claimant used to do but which he or she can no longer perform or can do only with assistance, breaks, etc.
5. Describe the limitations you have observed in the claimant's ability to engage in everyday activities such as running errands, cleaning house, cooking, shopping, engaging in projects or hobbies. Examples of limitations may be the need to take frequent breaks and rest; the onset of pain or other symptoms that require stopping an activity; the inability to lift objects over a certain weight, etc. Remember these are just examples - write about the limitations that you have actually observed.
6. If the claimant has limited his or her activities significantly to avoid symptoms, describe how limited the activities are and contrast this with how the claimant was before he or she became ill.
7. If the claimant has a physical disability, describe difficulties you've observed with sitting, standing, walking, lifting, bending, etc.
8. If you or someone else help the claimant, write about what help is needed, how often it is needed and how long this kind of assistance has been necessary.
9. If the claimant has developed depression or has other mental or emotional difficulties (even if they are the result of his or her physical symptoms) describe the difficulties you have observed in his or her ability to understand, remember and carry out instructions, concentrate and maintain attention, or to respond appropriately to others in a social or work setting. Give specific examples that you have noticed.
10. If fatigue, sleeplessness, pain or depression is involved, you may have noticed difficulty concentrating, loss of concentration or attention, forgetfulness, a quick temper, avoidance of other people, crying spells, or poor stress tolerance. Describe what you have seen and describe whether you have observed any "trigger" for these symptoms.
11. If the claimant has good days and bad days, describe what the claimant does on a good day and what he or she does on a bad day. Indicate how often the claimant seems to have a bad day versus the number of good days.
12. If you know that the claimant had a hard time trying to work, tell about these problems and how the claimant tried to cope.
2. Don't try to play to sympathy. Disability is based on the claimant's inability to work, not on whether the claimant is a nice person or needs money very badly, or has children he or she is having trouble supporting, etc.
3. Don't write about the claimant's inability to get a job or that nobody would hire the claimant with his medical history. The only thing that matters is the claimant's ability to perform a job.
4. Don't compare the claimant to others who seem less disabled but get disability benefits. Such comparisons don't help and may even give the wrong impression.
5. Generally, don't state opinions. State facts based on your observations. Specifically, don't draw conclusions that the claimant can't work or is disabled. The one exception may be if you are an employer and in a position in which you can state that as an employer you would not hire the claimant citing the specific reasons why. Ultimately, however, Social Security makes the decision about disability, and it will disregard your opinions on the matter. Your personal observations are much more important.
6. Don't argue the case.