The US has several federal programs in place to help people living with disabilities. One of the most important programs is the Social Security Disability (SSD) program, overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To receive social security benefits, there are certain criteria that you have to meet to be eligible. Read on to know more about the medical conditions and requirements that automatically qualify you for social security disability.
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
Definition Of Social Security Disability
To qualify for SSD benefits, you should be employed and insured by your employer. Being insured means you have worked long enough in your job and have paid your taxes. Generally, monthly payments are made to individuals who are unable to work for a year or more due to disability. You will continue to receive monetary benefits until you can go back to work or, in some cases, until you reach the age of retirement. If you receive SSD payments before you reach full retirement age, these payments will automatically be transferred to your retirement account.
Of course, there is a long list of medical conditions that can prevent you from doing your job, but some conditions are likely to get approved for disability quicker than others. The medical condition must be serious enough that it impairs your ability to work. You can check the Compassionate Allowances List (CAL) compiled by the SS administration office where you can find a list of conditions that may qualify you for disability benefits.
Do You Need A Lawyer To Claim Social Security Disability?
Most of the listings may require that you have specific limitations that keep you from working. However, the skilled attorneys over at https://www.laportelawfirm.com/ explain that you can appeal your case if your claim was turned down. A professional lawyer will tell you the right way to apply for disability and walk you through all the steps you can take to improve your chances of getting social security disability paychecks early. Your lawyer can tip the odds in your favor by calling for a hearing if your application is denied at first.
Common Medical Conditions
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a highly crippling condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. Ultimately, the disease can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system. You can find some solace in knowing that the disability process will not be slowed down if you suffer from this disease.
All Types of Cancer: Around two-thirds of cancer patients receive disability benefits. There are different types of cancer that vary in severity — from less serious to extremely serious cases. For example, for those who have had their cancer spread to other parts of the body (metastasized), their approval rate for disability compensation is substantially higher than those whose cancer has not spread— 78% compared to 44% of the latter group.
Organ Transplant: If you have undergone organ transplantation, you will automatically be eligible for medical care for 12 months after the transplant. After 12 months, the SSA will reassess the claim and if you are still too ill to carry on work, you will continue to receive benefits.
Blindness and/or Deafness: The SSA typically considers vision and hearing impairment to be more severe than physical trauma and thus, offers higher benefits to people who experience blindness or deafness, even if it is just for a limited period.
Alzheimer’s: The SSA has added Alzheimer’s to its list. This includes those suffering from the early-onset of the disease. It’s important to note that many Alzheimer’s patients get denied disability at first, but then get approved after a hearing. You need to make sure you have the most recent medical evidence to improve your chances of getting disability benefits. Recent means medical records of the last three months. You will also need your older records to show when the disability began. This could mean that you are owed back pay.
Heart Conditions: Social security will consider the following factors before giving out benefits to cardiac patients:
- A low exercise tolerance test that indicates you can’t do physical activity without getting quickly exhausted and fatigued
- Proof that there are defects in the heart muscle or arteries
- Proof that you’ve been hospitalized several times in the past 12 months due to a heart condition
Spinal Injury or Paralysis: Not all spinal injuries qualify you automatically. Complete loss of body functions d, inability to move normally or cognitive impairment due to a spinal injury will put you on SSD automatically.
As with all other claims, forms and documents must be filled out correctly to receive social security benefits for disability. If you’re not sure you have all the right legal and medical documents to file for disability, a specialized lawyer can walk you through the process and get your due disability paychecks. That can offer you some much-needed comfort if you live with any illness or medical condition that has affected all facets of your life.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
COMMENTS