If you develop a disability and can no longer work, you may wonder if your condition automatically qualifies for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Some of the most serious conditions, such as certain cancers and adult brain disorders, meet the Social Security Administration’s standard for disability. People who have been diagnosed with these severe medical conditions may qualify for the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowance program and receive expedited handling of their disability application. While you still must go through the application process, the claims reviewers will process your application more quickly if you meet the criteria for a compassionate allowance.
An experienced disability attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer in Lexington, Kentucky, can review your medical diagnosis and help you understand whether you may qualify for a compassionate allowance. Our attorney can help you pursue all the disability benefits available.
Social Security Disability Explained
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal insurance program under which workers earn coverage by working and paying Social Security taxes on their earnings. If a worker becomes disabled and can longer work, the worker may be eligible for SSDI benefits to replace some of their lost income.
To receive disability benefits, a disabled person must have worked recently enough and for enough years to qualify. Furthermore, the disabling condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s strict definition of disability. To be considered disabled, you must be unable to hold substantially gainful employment due to a medically diagnosed condition that either:
- You have had at least 12 months, or that is expected to last that long; or
- Will eventually lead to death.
Substantial gainful activity means full-time or part-time work you get paid for that involves significant mental and/or physical tasks. Medically determinable means that the condition can be diagnosed through laboratory or clinical diagnostics that are medically acceptable.
Conditions That Qualify You for Disability
The SSA’s Blue Book lists conditions that could qualify for SSDI benefits if the individual meets the eligibility criteria outlined. These qualifying conditions are grouped into the following broad categories:
- Cancer – Includes cancers of various parts, systems, or organs of the body
- Cardiovascular system – Includes ischemic heart disease, recurrent arrhythmias, chronic heart failure, congenital heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and aneurysm of the aorta or major artery
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems – Includes non-mosaic Down syndrome
- Digestive system – Includes short bowel syndrome, liver dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Endocrine disorders – Includes disorders of the parathyroid, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, and pancreas glands
- Genitourinary disorders – Includes chronic kidney disease and resulting conditions, chronic obstructive uropathy, and diabetic nephropathy
- Hematological disorders – Includes hemolytic anemias, disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis, and bone marrow failure
- Immune system disorders – Includes connective tissue disease, inflammatory arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, systemic vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, immune deficiency disorders, Sjogren’s syndrome, and human immunodeficiency virus infection
- Mental disorders – Includes anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, eating disorders, neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, intellectual disorder, somatic symptom, and related disorders, personality and impulse-control disorders, and trauma- or stressor-related disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders – Includes disorders of the skeletal spine, joints, amputations, non-healing or complex fractures, and soft tissue injuries
- Neurological disorders – Includes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, benign brain tumors, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, vascular insult to the brain, Parkinsonian syndrome, spinal cord disorders, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, and traumatic brain injury
- Respiratory disorders – Includes asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancers of the respiratory system
- Skin disorders – Includes bullous disease, chronic infections of the skin or mucous membranes, dermatitis, ichthyosis, genetic photosensitivity disorders, and burns
- Special senses and speech – Includes the loss of vision, speech, hearing, and other disorders of the senses
While these categories are broad, they are not a comprehensive list of all conditions that may result in disability. If your medically diagnosed condition prevents you from performing any substantially gainful work, you may be eligible for SSD benefits, whether or not you see your condition listed above. An experienced disability benefits attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer in Kentucky is ready to help you seek all the benefits available to you by law.
Conditions That Qualify for Compassionate Allowance
Some of the most severe medical conditions may qualify for Compassionate Allowance. The Compassionate Allowance program aims to expedite the processing of SSDI applications for conditions that clearly meet the SSA’s definition of disability. The Social Security Administration has a long list of conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowance.
What Is the Most Approved Disability?
According to the Annual Statistical Report on the SSDI Program, the most approved disabilities are conditions related to the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues, accounting for 34 percent of all currently disabled workers receiving benefits. Mental disorders follow with 25.2 percent and all other impairments with 16.8 percent.
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability
The application process for disability benefits is complicated. You should consult an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer who can submit an accurate and complete disability application on your behalf with supporting medical documentation.
It can take several months to receive an initial response from the SSA. Most SSDI applications are initially denied. If the SSA denies your application, you can appeal the decision within 60 days of receiving the SSA’s decision. An attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can file an appeal for you and stand beside you at every step in the appeals process.
Contact Our Kentucky Social Security Disability Lawyer to Learn More
If you have developed a disability that makes you unable to work or gain meaningful employment, you may qualify for SSD. The SSD lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer in Lexington, KY, can guide you through the application process and significantly improve your chances of receiving benefits. Without an experienced legal advocate on your side, you will be at a disadvantage in dealing with the Social Security bureaucracy.
Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today at (877) 809-5352 to discuss your options if you are disabled and unable to work. We’re available 24/7, and your initial consultation is free.
