If you are struggling with a difficult medical condition, you may find that it has changed your life in many ways. You may not be able to participate in recreational activities you once enjoyed. In fact, you may not even be able to do many of your normal day-to-day activities. Depending upon the severity of your condition, it may even prevent you from working and earning an income as you otherwise would. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder if you are eligible to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Let’s look at what types of conditions may qualify for benefits and how to pursue them.
What is the Blue Book?
To determine whether or not a particular applicant qualifies for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will consider two primary factors. These factors include:
- A qualifying medical condition
- The condition has rendered the applicant disabled for one continuous calendar year or more.
The second condition is fairly self-explanatory, but the first requires more explanation. After all, there are so many different medical conditions – how do you know if your particular condition “qualifies”? It’s an important question to ask.
To determine if a particular condition qualifies for benefits, the Social Security Administration will often consult what is known as the “Blue Book.” The Blue Book is a guide containing various physical and mental impairments and accompanying symptoms. Part A of the Blue Book is for adults aged 18 or over, and Part B is for children under 18. Each part of the Blue Book has 14 categories of medical conditions. These conditions are included across a wide variety of categories of mental and physical impairments.
If you can establish through sufficient medical proof that you have a condition listed in the Blue Book, you will typically increase your chances of being approved for benefits. However, if you don’t have a condition listed in the Blue Book, you shouldn’t panic. Sometimes, there are disabilities that don’t fit into one specific and clear category. If this is the case, you may simply need additional medical evidence regarding your condition, its symptoms, and its effects on your day-to-day life.
What Evidence Do You Need to Provide to Qualify Under a Blue Book Listing?
As a general rule, all listings in the Blue Book will require objective medical evidence to establish that the listing conditions are met. Such evidence can vary and may include test results, x-rays, digital imaging, psychological tests, and the opinions and diagnoses of various medical providers.
In addition to establishing that you have the various symptoms of a particular condition, you will also need to provide evidence regarding how that condition affects your everyday life. This should include evidence of how the condition interferes with your ability to function and to work and earn income as you otherwise normally would.
What Benefits Could You Receive?
If you have a condition that does meet the criteria of a “qualifying disability” and it has rendered you disabled for one continuous calendar year or more, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. There are two types of disability benefits that may be available, depending on your particular situation. These include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance: SSDI benefits are benefits that the Social Security Administration pays to individuals who are “insured.” This means that the applicant worked a job for a sufficient length of time through which they regularly paid employment taxes into the Social Security system.
- Supplemental Security Income: Unlike the case with SSDI benefits, to receive SSI benefits, an individual need not be “insured.” Instead, they must have income and resources below a specific limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit typically changes yearly in accordance with prevailing economic conditions.
Determining which type of benefit you should pursue is a decision you should make in consultation with an attorney who knows and understands the law and who can give you advice for your unique situation. At Disability Experts, we’re here to help.
Disability Experts – Here For You
At Disability Experts, we are passionate about helping our disabled clients find a path forward toward a brighter future ahead. We know that being disabled can be difficult in so many ways – not the least of which is financially. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. We can help you pursue the benefits you need as you seek the financial security and stability you deserve during this challenging time. We know and understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll work with you to diligently pursue your claim each step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you soon.