Social Security disability benefits can help many people with serious or chronic medical conditions or impairments. They are listed in the Social Security Administration’s (or SSA) manual, which is also referred to as the blue book. The impairments, both mental and physical, that are listed will automatically qualify someone to receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provided the individual meets the requirements set forth by the SSA. However, there are some disabilities that do not qualify. If you’re having difficulty determining whether your condition is eligible for benefits, you may need to contact a Social Security disability lawyer in Salisbury, North Carolina for assistance.
Which Conditions Automatically Qualify For Social Security Disability?
For 2016, the blue book lists the following conditions as qualifying to receive disability benefits or supplemental income:
- Back injuries and other musculoskeletal problems
- Various syndromes, such as Marfan syndrome
- Dermatitis and other skin disorders
- Vision, hearing loss, and other sense and speech issues
- COPD, asthma, and other respiratory issues
- Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, PD, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders
- Liver disease, IBD, and other digestive tract issues
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Disorders of bone marrow failure, hemolytic anemias and other hematological disorders
- Coronary artery disease, heart failure, or other cardiovascular conditions
- Depression, anxiety, autism, and other mental disorders
- HIV/AIDs, rheumatoid arthritis, and other immune system disorders
Matching the Blue Book Condition Requirements
If you are filing to receive Social security disability benefits, you must not necessarily satisfy the listing requirements exactly in order to be awarded benefits for a particular disease or disorder. If the SSA determines aspects of your condition to be the medical equivalent of the criteria listed in the manual, you can be awarded benefits under the qualifier “equaling a disability listing.”
If you don’t meet or equal the listing requirements for your condition, it is still possible to be eligible to receive benefits, as long as the condition prohibits your ability to work. The SSA will take the effect of your condition in regards to your working capacity and ability to perform daily tasks into consideration. Then they will be able to determine if there is any type of job that you could be expected to perform consistently and safely.
Medical Conditions That Are Not in the Blue Book
If you have a condition or impairment that is not listed in the SSA handbook, you may still be able to receive Social Security disability benefits. For example, people with migraine headaches do not have this condition listed in the book, but if they report severe enough migraines with solid documentation, proving that they are impossible to complete the tasks demanded by a full-time job, they may be granted disability benefits.
Work With a Social Security Disability Lawyer
If you are unsure whether your condition should qualify you to receive Social Security disability benefits, a qualified Social Security disability lawyer in Salisbury will be able to help. Lewis & Keller has been serving North Carolina residents for more than two decades. Let us help you with your disability claim. Contact us at 336-728-6284 or fill out the form below for a free case evaluation today.
