How to Find Out if I Qualify?
The Social Security uses this five-step process to understand your condition and see if you qualify.
- Are you working?
- Is your Condition Severe?
Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, and remembering, for at least 12 months to be able to qualify.
- Is your condition found on the list of disabling conditions? Part A-is for adults (18 and above) and Part B is for children (younger than 18).
Part A) Musculoskeletal System, Special Senses and Speech, Respiratory Disorders, Cardiovascular System, Digestive System, Genitourinary Disorders, Hematological Disorders, Skin Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems, Neurological Disorders, Mental DisordersCommon mental disorders include depression, which affects about 300 million, bipolar disorder, which affects about 60 million, dementia, which affects about 50 million, and schizophrenia and other psychoses, which affects about 23 million people globally., CancerCancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases), and Immune System Disorders
Part B) Low Birth Weight and Failure to Thrive, Musculoskeletal System, Special Senses and Speech, Respiratory Disorders, Cardiovascular System, Digestive System, Genitourinary Disorders, Hematological Disorders, Skin Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems, Neurological Disorders, Mental Disorders, Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases), and Immune System Disorders.
These are just some of the disabilities that are listed in the blue book for Social Security. It’s important to look if your disability fits into any of these disabling conditions. Individuals who fit these severe conditions can automatically qualify for benefits.
- Can you do work you did previously?
The Social Security Administration will decide if your medical condition prevents you from performing any of your past work. If it does not, you cannot qualify for Social Security Disability.
- Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do any work you did in the past, Social Security Disability will see if there is any other work you can do with your condition. Social Security Disability looks at your age, education, work experience, and skills you possess.
Why Hire a Social Security Lawyer?
The application process for Social Security Disability Benefits can be challenging and confusing. Hiring a Social Security Disability lawyer is in your best interest because your chances of being approved greatly increase. Statistically, the Social Security Administration is more likely to approve a case when an attorney is representing an applicant rather than someone who is not represented. It is true that someone can apply on their own and get benefits from Social Security. However, the statistics and research from many sources show having an attorney greatly increases your odds of being approved and receiving benefits.
When Should You Hire a Disability Lawyer?
The sooner, the better. Attorneys can give advice to you from the early stages. They can evaluate your case and assist with the application to the Social Security Administration. This can speed up the SSDISocial Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the United States government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and designed to provide income supplements to people who are physically restricted in their ability to be employed because of a notable disability. process and get you closer to benefits faster. Most law firms offer an initial case evaluation at no cost to you. This helps you figure out if hiring an attorney is an option that you should pursue or not.
Having a supporting claim from your primary doctor can help your case as well. There are doctors who sometimes are unwilling to cooperate because of lack of time, their own opinions, or unclear expectations but having a claim from them can be helpful for the attorney as well. If your doctor knows you have a disability, your attorney can take the vital information from your doctor and use it for your case to present it to Social Security. Lawyers can make the process go much faster and having one can ease the stress that’s bound to come with this process.
