If you or a family member has a physical or mental health disability that prevents you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If you meet the basic requirements and provide the required information, SSA programs provide two forms of benefits:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for disabled applicants who worked long enough, recently enough, and paid Social Security taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for disabled applicants who can demonstrate a lack of financial or other resources.
For SSDI, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the basic application requirements are the following:
- Work at jobs that Social Security covers
- Have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of disability
SSA officials may also require additional personal, financial, employment, and education information.
Our Social Security disability team might be able to help you get more information on your diagnosed disability and the other types of disabilities that qualify for Social Security benefits. Find out what financial compensation you might be entitled to collect by calling (828) 286-3866 to contact a client intake team member at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today.
-Musculoskeletal System
According to SSA – 1.00 Musculoskeletal System – Adult guidelines, musculoskeletal system disorders may have hereditary, congenital, or pathologic causes. It can cause a loss of physical function attributed to bone and joint deformities or damage that changes your physical appearance and abilities. Severe cases of musculoskeletal system disorders might lead to:
- Limb amputations
- Bone fractures
- Spine disorders
- Significant burns
These disorders might also cause chronic or prolonged periods of immobility and require short-term or long-term physical or occupational therapy. SSA administrators might weigh your musculoskeletal system disorder and its accompanying loss of function by evaluating your general mobility, gauging your ability to walk and move freely.
Your degree of mobility will be judged by its accompanying pain levels, limitations and impairments, and musculoskeletal development or deterioration. SSA medical evaluators might also gauge your gross and fine motor skills and the limitations they impose using medical records and reports, along with other evidence presented to support your disability.
If your disorder limits your ability to function on your own or to walk unaided for a reasonable distance and reasonable period of time, you might qualify for benefits. This might include dependence on assistive medical or mobility devices, such as canes, crutches, walkers, or other aids. It might also include the inability to move comfortably, shop, run errands, climb steps, or engage in preferred activities.
You may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if your inability to push, pull, grasp, pick up, or put down items of varying sizes impedes your ability to take care of your personal and hygienic needs, prepare a meal for yourself, or feed yourself independently. You might also qualify if you cannot readily handle or sort papers or perform simple filing activities. Related prolonged or chronic pain may also lead to qualification for Social Security disability benefits.
SSA officials might also determine your eligibility for medical care and monthly monetary benefits using:
- Comprehensive medical records
- A consultative examination
- Expert medical opinions
Eligibility will also be determined based on your current ability to work, the degree and severity of your disability, your ability to continue performing the work you currently perform, your age, and your educational background. You may qualify for SSA benefits if your condition is severe enough to make it impossible for you to work or if it meets SSA’s definition of disability.
-Special Senses and Speech
SSA – 2.00 Special Senses and Speech – Adult guidelines define special senses and speech disorders as:
- Insufficient visual sharpness
- Inadequate visual tracking
- Disturbance of inner ear function
- Loss of cochlear function
- Inability to speak
- Deafness, whether treated with a cochlear implant or not
If you experience full or partial hearing or vision loss, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.ualifying visual disorders are evaluated based on your eye abnormalities, optic nerve or optic tract damage, or brain abnormalities that might lead to loss of visual acuity or limitations in your visual field. Loss of visual acuity might impair your ability to discern details, read, or perform detailed work. Limitations of your visual field might inhibit your ability to make visual discernments or hinder your peripheral vision.
A special senses and speech disorder might include a diagnosis of statutory blindness if your central visual acuity is measured at 20/200 or less in your best eye. This diagnosis might also be given if your field of vision is limited to 20 degrees or less. Tests of your visual field might uncover visual disorders or visual field losses, including:
- Optic nerve damage
- Retinitis degeneration
An eye health medical professional may make this diagnosis after a thorough examination of your visual ability. Similarly, if your special senses and speech disorder is a full or partial hearing loss, you may be required to provide proof of a medically diagnosed impairment, including:
- The cause of your hearing loss
- Audiometric measurements
- Otologic examination results
- Audiometric testing results
- Details on the effects of your hearing loss
- A medical description of your inner and outer ear
- Evaluation of your eardrum
- Assessment of your middle ear
Audiometric testing and measurement performed by a health care professional may vary according to whether or not you have a cochlear implant. If you do not have a cochlear implant, each of your ears must be tested independently. As such, hearing loss must meet specific air and bone conduction criteria. If you have a cochlear implant, SSA administrators may consider you disabled for the first year immediately following its implantation. At the end of the initial year, you might have to undergo word recognition testing.
These and other types of disabilities qualify for Social Security disability benefits because they inhibit your ability to work and support yourself. Contact a Social Security disability team member at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, by calling (828) 286-3866 to get your application started today.
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-Respiratory Disorders
If you suffer from a debilitating respiratory disorder, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Proving the respiratory disorder that you suffer from makes you eligible for Social Security disability benefits can be a long and arduous process. You will be required to provide medical evidence and comply with additional responsibilities as a potential claimant.
SSA officials may request information on how your daily activities and ability to work are impaired by your respiratory disorder. You might also be asked to explain the degrees of pain and discomfort you experience and any negative side effects of your required medications.
With symptoms like shortness of breath, lack of energy, and swelling in your lower extremities, respiratory disorders, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can make ordinary activities difficult, according to Mayo Clinic research. When these symptoms persist, they can make it hard for you to feel good enough to manage your personal needs, maintain a healthy weight, or exert enough energy to work and support yourself.
Other respiratory disorders considered disabling by SSA – 3.00 Respiratory Disorders – Adult range from asthma, which causes narrowed airways, to bronchiectasis, which causes inflamed, scarred lungs. An evaluation of the degree and severity of your lung disorder might include several medical tests and exams. When you apply for the medical care and financial support of disability benefits, SSA officials may request a plethora of evidence and documentation. You may be asked to compile and submit medical evidence that demonstrates the degree of your respiratory disorder, including:
- Complete medical history
- Physical exam results
- Pulmonary function test results
- Prescribed treatment plan
- Imaging exam results
- Laboratory test results
It can be difficult to understand and gather the amount of evidence and information SSA officials require. Your legal team might be able to help you submit a wide range of required evidence that supports your application. They might also be able to assist you in completing and submitting your application for benefits. In addition, they can also help you understand the potential amount of any benefits you might be granted.
-Cardiovascular System
A health issue that affects your cardiovascular system might lead to the medical and financial benefits you need. Cardiovascular system impairments that may qualify for Social Security disability benefits include:
- Heart transplant
- Heart disease or failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Aneurysm of aorta or major branches
While these conditions appear on the SSA – 4.00 Cardiovascular Disorders – Adult, additional cardiovascular system disorders and diseases may also qualify. According to SSA guidelines, you may be required to prove the existence and severity of your current health situation and its impact on your ability to work. You may qualify if your condition is categorized as:
- Persistent: always or almost always present over the course of a year and increases in severity
- Recurrent: present and troublesome at least three times over the course of a year with limited times of respite
- Uncontrolled: does not respond favorably to treatment nor improve with standard care
SSA officials may request a thorough explanation and review of your symptoms, physical, medical, and laboratory test outcomes, and a list of your prescribed medications. In addition, they may review your medication dosages and side effects along with asking questions related to how your cardiovascular health limits your functionality and productivity.
If your cardiovascular system disorder is not on the accepted list, you may still qualify for benefits. In some cases, SSA officials may assess your eligibility based on a co-existing impairment in another body part that meets the eligibility standards. SSA administrators may approve your application based on Social Security Code of Federal Regulations § 404.1526.
Medical equivalence may be established by your having a listed impairment that does not meet the required criteria, but you have multiple impairments that equal the medical equivalence criteria when combined. Your legal team might be able to help you file an effective appeal if your initial application is denied.
-Digestive System
Because its primary function is to turn the food you eat into nutrients that power your body, your digestive system is an important part of maintaining your overall health. From a report by Cleveland Clinic, your digestive system includes your:
- Liver
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Esophagus
- Gall bladder
- Both intestines
- Rectum and anus
According to SSA – 5.00 Digestive System – Adult guidelines, disorders that might impair your digestive system and overall health include:
- Liver disease
- Liver transplant
- Chronic weight loss
- GI tract hemorrhaging
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
To prove you suffer from one of these digestive system disorders, you might be required to provide evidence including:
- A definitive diagnosis
- Clinical test results
- Medical laboratory findings
- Imaging exam results
- Details on surgical procedures
You will also have to furnish information on the degree to which your disorder impairs your daily life. Johns Hopkins Medicine cites these symptoms of digestive disorders: constipation or diarrhea, persistent pain, internal bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. SSA officials may ask for information on your treatment plan, the results it produces, and any supplemental nutrition you may require.
In addition to your medical evidence, you may also be required to provide additional information about your potential qualifications. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you may have to provide a wealth of personal information in addition to your medical evidence. You might be considered disabled if:
- Your medical condition prevents you from doing the work you used to do.
- Your condition also prevents you from doing another kind of work.
- Your current condition has or will last for a minimum of one year.
- Your current condition is expected to result in your demise.
SSA administrators have generated a list of impairments considered severe enough to prevent you from maintaining gainful employment. If your diagnosed digestive system disorder is on this list, your application might be successful. You may also qualify if your disorder is on the list but not considered severe enough, or it is not on the list but meets certain criteria.
You do not have to navigate the complicated application process without assistance. Your legal team might be able to help you understand the qualification process, submit a complete application, or appeal a denied one.
Digestive system disorders and other types of disabilities that qualify for Social Security disability benefits might entitle you to medical assistance and monthly financial aid. Our Social Security disability team might be able to help you understand and successfully navigate the application process. When you are ready to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits, contact the client intake team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, by calling (828) 286-3866 today. The first consultation is free.
-Genitourinary Disorders
According to SSA – 6.00 Genitourinary Disorders – Adult guidelines, the following genitourinary disorders are considered severe enough to inhibit your ability to work and support yourself:
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Obstructed urine flow
- Hereditary nephropathies
- Hypertensive nephropathy
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
Diagnosis of genitourinary disorder does not ensure qualification for Social Security disability benefits. SSA administrators may also request:
- A list of your symptoms
- Medical and lab records
- Clinical examinations
- Prescribed treatment plans
- Your response to treatment
You might need to gather and submit medical evidence of your condition and treatments for at least 90 days. If you received a kidney transplant, you might be considered disabled for the year immediately following your transplant. Once the initial year has passed, your qualifications might be reevaluated based on the post-transplant functionality of your kidney.
Some genitourinary disorders might also result in bone pain significant enough to make physical or cognitive function difficult. If the symptoms do not meet the degree of impairment considered disabling, you may still have an opportunity to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
SSA administrators assess disorders that fail to meet their criteria by also judging whether or not you have another disability that might satisfy its criteria. Your initial evaluation may include the following five-question process:
- Did you work and earn more than $1,260 per month in the last year?
- Does your medical condition stop you from performing routine tasks?
- Is your condition on the list of disabling conditions in an acceptable degree of severity?
- Does your medical condition prevent you from doing work you previously did?
- Does your condition prevent you from doing any other type of work?
For people with disabling medical conditions, SSA administrators provide two benefits programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits if you are insured and paid Social Security taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits if you can prove you have a need for financial assistance.
-Hematological Disorders
A hematological disorder is one that impairs your blood’s ability to do its job of carrying oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Whether acute or chronic, it can damage your overall health and lead to many problematic symptoms that hinder your physical abilities. A hematological disorder might be accompanied by symptoms that do not allow you to work or manage your daily needs.
If you have a hematological disorder that is listed on SSA Listing of Impairments, it still might qualify you for Social Security disability benefits. According to SSA – 7.00 Hematological Disorders – Adult guidelines, the following disorders are included under the category of hematological disorders:
- Hemolytic anemias such as sickle cell disease
- Thrombosis and hemostasis disorders
- Disorders that result in bone marrow failure
- Hematological disorders that require bone marrow or stem cell transplants
You might also qualify for disability benefits if your current medical condition causes recurring complications. These conditions might have debilitating symptoms, according to information presented by Merck Manual, that include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent fever
- Chronic infections
- Frequent headaches
- Vertigo
- Mental confusion
Hematological disorders might lead to these problematic symptoms throughout your body and have a damaging effect on your personal and professional life. When that happens, you might struggle to afford your basic needs. You might qualify for medical care and monthly financial benefits from the following SSA programs:
- If you have worked long enough, recently enough, and have paid into the Social Security system, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
- If you do not qualify for SSDI, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on financial need and lack of resources.
To determine your eligibility for benefits, SSA officials might request a plethora of documents, including information about your medical condition, age, work history, education, and job training. In addition to this basic qualifying information, you might also be asked to provide a seemingly overwhelming amount of medical evidence and documents.
If you qualify for SSDI benefits, there is a five calendar month waiting period before you can receive benefits. . Alternatively, SSI benefits will not be paid to you for at least one month after your application date. Because the application process can be time-consuming, SSA – Disability Determination Process guidelines encourage you to apply for benefits as soon as you become aware of your disability and its impact on your health.
-Skin Disorders
The following skin disorders are on the SSA – 8.00 Skin Disorders – Adult for benefits. If you have one of these skin disorders to an acceptable degree of severity, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability accepted skin disorders may include:
- Burns
- Dermatitis
- Ichthyosis
- Bullous disease
- Chronic skin infections
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Mucous membrane infections
- Genetic photosensitivity disorders
Because skin covers your entire body, few things might be more stressful or traumatic than ongoing skin disorders. If you suffer from one of the skin disorders listed above to the extent that you cannot work, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Skin conditions not included on this list may also qualify. As part of the application process, SSA criteria for skin disorders may include an evaluation of your:
- Skin damage
- Degree of pain
- Prescribed treatment
- Response to treatment
- Symptom management
If you meet the eligibility criteria, your application for benefits might be approved if your application is thorough and complete. A complete application contains the following additional information and documents required by Form SSA-16 application guidelines:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Military discharge papers
- Tax records
- Adult disability report
- Employment history
- Salary history
- Medical evidence
- Marital status
If applicable, you may also be asked for any award letters or settlement agreements that demonstrate any other form of benefits you receive. Additional basic information you may be required to submit includes your Social Security number. You may also need to disclose whether or not you have ever filed for any type of Social Security benefits or used a different Social Security number.
Your application might still be approved if the severity of your skin disorder does not meet initial eligibility requirements. SSA administrators may also consider co-existing medical conditions as part of the final step in their five-step evaluation process.
Compiling this wealth of information from a divergent array of health care professional, health care facility, personal, professional, and financial sources can be challenging and demanding. Your legal team may help you determine the appropriate Social Security disability programs to apply for, build and submit a complete application, submit evidence to support your application, and represent you during the appeals process, if needed.
Our disability team might be able to help determine if your skin disorder or other types of disabilities could qualify for Social Security disability benefits. We might also be able to help you navigate the complicated application process. Contact the client support team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, by calling (828) 286-3866 to put our team to work, ensuring you get the benefits you might be entitled to receive.
-Endocrine Disorders
An endocrine disorder that leads to a hormonal imbalance and causes your endocrine glands to produce too little or too much hormone secretion, according to Merck Manual – Endocrine Disorders report. This underproduction or overproduction of hormones can lead to a variety of medical challenges and affect your:
- Thyroid
- Pancreas
- Parathyroid
- Adrenal glands
- Pituitary glands
Each of these disorders might produce a slew of negative symptoms that affect your physical, emotional, and mental health. In turn, your ability to work or care for yourself might be affected. According to SSA – Endocrine Disorders – Adult, endocrine disorders might lead to physically impairing symptoms and additional health care concerns, including:
- Diabetes and insulin dependency
- Heart rate disorders
- Persistent weight loss
- Anxiety and depression
- Lowered calcium levels
- Muscle spasms
- Blood pressure disorders
- Seizure disorders
- Cognitive difficulties
When your symptoms and illnesses become severe enough that you cannot work to support yourself, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. To determine your qualification, SSA administrators might evaluate your current medical condition, which may be on a list of disabilities they use to qualify you for benefits.
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must either have sufficient work history and Social Security insurance participation history that meets the standards of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or have a demonstrated financial need that qualifies for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
You may qualify for one of these programs if your endocrine disorder is on SSA Listing of Impairments, which includes:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Chronic hyperglycemia
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Hypo- and hyperglycemia
- Pancreatic gland disorders
- Parathyroid gland disorders
If your endocrine disorder is on this list, you might be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if administrators determine that you can no longer work and cannot do a different kind of work because of your disorder, your disorder will last for at least a year, or is expected to result in a fatality.
-Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems
-Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems
If you or a family member has a congenital disorder that affects multiple body systems, like mosaic or non-mosaic Down syndrome, the condition might make the affected party eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
Non-mosaic Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes distinct facial characteristics, delayed physical development, and cognitive and cerebral dysfunction. A child born with non-mosaic Down syndrome might also have a variety of other serious medical conditions, including congenital heart disease and impaired vision and hearing. A child born with non-mosaic Down syndrome might be considered disabled from birth, according to SSA – Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems guidelines.
You might be required to provide SSA administrators with lab reports, a comprehensive diagnosis, and a declarative statement from your health care provider. This report must assert the patient’s karyotype diagnosis and state that they bear the distinctive facial features of Down syndrome.
If you or your loved one applies for Social Security disability benefits and financial compensation due to mosaic Down syndrome or congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems, your application for benefits may be approved after evaluation. With a rare condition like mosaic Down syndrome, patients can range from those whose symptoms are nearly imperceptible to those whose symptoms are significant enough to cause acute disabilities.
You might also qualify for SS disability benefits following a diagnosis of a range of other congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems, according to how severely they impair your ability to function. These congenital disorders include:
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Fragile X syndrome
- Trisomy X syndrome
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Caudal regression syndrome
To assess the degree of impairment caused by these or similar congenital disorders, SSA administrators may weigh the patient’s degree of disability, physical and functional limitations, and overall physical and cognitive health. You may apply for Social Security disability benefits online or in person by providing SSA administrators with important information, including personal and work information, financial and banking information, and information on any other awards of settlements the patient receives.
If you or a family member has a congenital disorder that does not allow you to work, a social security disability lawyer with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, might be able to help you navigate the SS disability benefits system and submit a complete application that includes the requested personal and medical information.
-Neurological Disorders
A severe neurological disorder might limit your ability to start or continue work, which might mean you qualify for Social Security disability benefits. According to SSA- 11.00 Neurological – Adult guidelines, many neurological disorders might prohibit you from gainful employment. If you suffer from one of the following neurological disorders, SSA administrators may evaluate the significance of your condition as part of the application process:
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Brain tumors
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord disorders
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Coma or persistent vegetative state
- Motor neuron disorders other than ALS
Additional neurological disorders not included on this list might also mean you qualify for Social Security disability benefits. To gauge your qualification, SSA administrators may carefully assess your medical and non-medical evidence. They may evaluate your:
- Range of symptoms
- Laboratory test results
- Medical history
- Imaging exam results
In some cases, non-medical evidence might also play a role in your evaluation. Non-medical evidence might include descriptive statements from friends, family, and colleagues who have witnessed the effect of your condition on your usual activities and on your ability to work. SSA administrators may also evaluate your treatment plan, any limitations to your motor function, and any communication barriers caused by your disorder.
If SSA administrators do not categorize the limitations of your neurological disorder as severe enough to warrant Social Security disability benefits, they may assess any other medical conditions you have to see if you might still qualify for benefits. The combination of both disorders may meet or medically equal the required eligibility criteria.
SSA Compassionate Allowances guidelines may allow applicants with certain neurological disorders, such as ALS, to receive more rapid approval by decreasing the wait time between application submission and decision making. It identifies certain diseases and disorders as disabilities that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
If your current neurological medical condition appears on SSA Compassionate Allowances Conditions (CAC), you might find the application system speedier and less challenging to navigate. A Social Security disability lawyer might be able to help you determine your eligibility for this program that might lead to receiving the medical and financial benefits you need sooner.
You do not have to navigate the complex application process on your own. If you or someone you love is suffering from a neurological disorder that temporarily or permanently impedes the ability to work, contact a member of the Social Security disability team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC. Call us at (828) 286-3866 today to learn more about how our case review team members might be able to help you understand the types of disabilities that qualify for Social Security disability benefits, if your disability qualifies, and what benefits you might be entitled to collect.
-Mental Disorders
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine – Mental Health Disorder Statistics, approximately 26% of adults suffer from a debilitating mental health disorder, with some having multiple coexisting disorders. Mental health challenges can make daily life distressing and traumatic without appropriate medical intervention. So what mental disorders qualify for Social Security Disability? When severe enough, SSA – 12.00 Mental Disorders – Adults guidelines recognize the following mental disorders as potential disabilities:
- Memory impairing disorders
- Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia
- Depression and its related disorders
- Intellectual disorders and disabilities
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
Additional mental disorders on SSA Listing of Impairments include autism spectrum disorder, impulse-control issues, neurological disorders, and eating disorders, among others. A comprehensive medical assessment of your mental health disorder and its severity might pave the way for beneficial treatment options and medical and financial benefits if you qualify for Social Security disability assistance.
A thorough assessment that leads to appropriate treatments may also lead to improved mental health, increased productivity, and enhanced quality of life. When assessing your mental health and the degree to which it limits your personal, social, and professional abilities, SSA administrators may request the following forms of evidence:
- Impartial evidence of your mental disorder
- A medical description of your symptoms
- Your physical and mental health history
- Your comprehensive mental health diagnosis
- A detailed list of your medications, doses, and side effects
- A detailed accounting of your therapy
- The current and anticipated effects of your disorder
Your application may also include evidence of any educational adjustments designed to accommodate a mental health condition, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The assessment SSA administrators conduct as part of the application process can be demanding and stressful. Administrators may use medical and non-medical reports and statements about the impact of your mental health condition on your daily life before reaching a decision on your application.
-Cancer and Malignant Neoplastic Disorders
-Cancer and Malignant Neoplastic Disorders
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, the treatments you may undergo and their side effects might mean you are unable to participate in the personal and work activities you enjoyed prior to your diagnosis. According to the report Mayo Clinic – Cancer, you may require treatments, including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Immunotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Clinical trials
To cope with the physical and emotional trauma of cancer and malignant neoplastic disorders, you might also require continual pain management or participate in alternative medical treatments. Being diagnosed with cancer might temporarily or permanently change your physical appearance and abilities as well as your mental and emotional state.
According to SSA – 13.00 Cancer – Adult guidelines, if your cancer-related physical impairments or treatment plan prevents you from working, you might be eligible for Social Security disability benefits since cancer appears on SSA Listing of Impairments. In addition to specific forms of cancer, it includes the following malignant neoplastic disorders:
- Leukemia
- Bone cancer
- Blood cancer
- Soft tissue cancers
- Craniofacial tumors
- Malignant melanoma
- Pleura or mediastinum
- Skin, breast, or lung cancer
- Salivary or thyroid gland cancer
- Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Cancer in the central nervous system
You might also qualify if you have esophagus or stomach cancer, cancer of the small or large intestine, cancer of the liver or gallbladder, or pancreatic cancer. Kidney, bladder, female tract, penile, or testicular cancers may also meet SSA criteria for receiving benefits. SSA Part II- Evidentiary Requirements establish the extent and degree of your medical condition, which include:
- Medical evidence
- Proof of your disease
- Proof of its severity
If your cancer or malignant neoplastic disorder meets SSA medical eligibility requirements, you might receive Social Security disability benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you might receive benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which awards benefits based on financial need.
You do not have to manage the stress of your illness and the stress of the lengthy Social Security disability application process on your own. A disability lawyer with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, may be able to help you determine which program to apply for, ensure your application is complete, and ensure its timely submission.
-Immune System Disorders
Because, according to a Johns Hopkins Medicine – Disorders of the Immune System report, your immune system is responsible for defending your body against the potential damage of infections, bacteria, and viruses, an immune system disorder might lead to severe disabilities. SSA – 14.00 Immune System Disorders – Adult includes these immune system disorders that can qualify for benefits:
- HIV
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Systemic vasculitis
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Connective tissue diseases
- Immune deficiency disorders
- Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
The SSA might request the following information to substantiate the degree of your physical impairment:
- Medical history
- Medical imaging results
- Overview of your symptoms
- Degree of your physical fatigue
- Degree of your dysfunction
- Your condition’s effect on your mobility
SSA administrators may also evaluate your medical condition’s status as either persistent, recurrent, resistant, or severe. The occurrence and frequency of your symptoms may impede your ability to maintain gainful employment. The effects of your treatments on your overall health may also be considered when evaluating your eligibility for benefits.
You might be born with an immune system disorder or develop one due to disease, an overactive immune system, or an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to fight against you.
When you are ready to apply for benefits, the current state of your disorder and the severity of your symptoms may play an important role in the decision-making process. The application process for receiving Social Security disability benefits may require you to gather a plethora of medical evidence and personal documents, including:
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship papers
- Military discharge papers
- Tax forms and returns
- Adult Disability Report
Keep in mind that SSA awards benefits to disabled people who are unable to work. Social Security awards medical and financial disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if the potential recipient worked long and recently enough and paid into the Social Security system. SSA may also award benefits to people who do not meet SSDI eligibility requirements but demonstrate the financial need required for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
If you receive other forms of financial support, benefits, or compensation, you might also be asked to provide documents about those awards. Acquiring the evidence that proves your eligibility for benefits might take a significant amount of time and investigation. A Social Security disability lawyer might be able to help you effectively navigate the application process. Reach out to Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation.
Let Our Team Help You Fight for Social Security Disability Benefits
A medical or psychiatric disability might prevent you from meeting your own personal needs or working to support yourself. Whether your disability is one you were born with, one that developed over time, or as the result of another medical issue, its severity might mean you qualify for SS disability benefits.
If you or a member of your family has a medical or mental health disorder that keeps you from working, you might be able to obtain health care and monthly financial benefits from an SSA program designed to help disabled people meet their financial needs.
One of the first steps toward obtaining benefits is compiling the medical, personal, and other evidence SSA officials require to consider your application complete. A Social Security disability lawyer might be able to help you submit a complete and accurate application with evidence that supports your diagnosis and application.
Find out more about the types of disabilities that qualify for Social Security assistance and the possible SSD benefits you may be entitled to receive. Contact the case review team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, by calling (828) 286-3866 today for a free consultation.