Did you know that 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability? This adds up to one in four adults having some type of disability.
If you are disabled in some way that prevents you from living life and working full-time, consider applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Am I eligible for disability benefits? Keep reading to find out.
What Conditions Qualify for Disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a manual that lists different physical and mental impairments and conditions.
The listed ailments qualify an applicant for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
An applicant has to get tested and approved for their disability in order to receive benefits. These are some of the categories of conditions in the manual:
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Respiratory illnesses
- Neurological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Cancer
- Blood disorders
This is the shortlist. You can find the full listing of impairments at the link.
Am I Eligible for Disability Benefits?
If you are still asking, “am I eligible for disability benefits?”, consider the listing of impairments. You can get a diagnosis of the condition from your doctor.
However, a diagnosis alone only gets you an automatic disability approval for the following conditions:
- ALS
- Organ transplants
- Certain serious cancers (esophageal cancer, mucosal melanoma, small-cell carcinoma)
Social Security will look past the diagnosis for other conditions. Instead, you’ll need the treatment notes to mention physical limitations or cognitive limitations.
You’ll also need an x-ray or test results for the impairment. A doctor can perform them or you can wait for the SSA to pay for an exam which might take longer.
Can You Get Your Medical Condition to Qualify?
If you have a medical condition listed in the manual but are still struggling with eligibility for disability benefits, the most important thing you can do is visit your doctor.
Before filling out the disability benefits application, you should be visiting your doctor regularly. Have conversions with a medical professional about your limitations.
The doctor should include these problems in your medical records. Ask your doctor if the limitations you are experiencing will prevent you from having a full-time job.
If the answer is yes, you can apply for disability benefits here.
If you haven’t regularly been to the doctor, now is the time to start going. A long medical record supporting your disability claim will help you receive benefits.
The medical record should include limitations among these things:
- Diagnosis
- Test results
- Treatment plans
After several appointments, you can ask your doctor if they think you will qualify for disability benefits.
Applying for Disability Benefits
Am I eligible for disability benefits?
If you have a disability listed in the Social Security Administration’s manual, you might qualify for benefits. However, receiving benefits is more than qualifying for a disability.
You’ll have to prove you have a disability by visiting the doctor often and having an extensive medical record for most disabilities listed. Talk to your doctor about receiving benefits before applying.
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