If you have been diagnosed with a physical and/or mental condition and it’s preventing you from working in any capacity, you may be wondering what medical conditions qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
Today we’re going to discuss a common question, what medical conditions actually qualify for Social Security disability benefits. First, it’s important to understand what SSDI is. SSDI and SSI are federal programs that provide financial support to individuals who are no longer able to work as a result of their physical and/or mental conditions. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.
The Social Security Administration may consider you to be disabled if you are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment that has either already lasted (or is expected to last) at least 12 months or end in death. The Social Security Administration has a list of medical conditions that might be considered to meet that definition of disability. This list is known as the Blue Book and it includes a wide range of both physical and mental impairments. Some of the medical conditions that are included in the Blue Book are musculoskeletal disorders (i.e., back injuries and knee or hip injuries), cardiovascular conditions (i.e., heart failure or coronary artery disease), respiratory disorders (i.e., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and neurological disorders (i.e., multiple sclerosis and epilepsy). The Blue Book also includes listings for mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
If your medical condition is not listed in the Blue Book, or your medical condition does not rise to the severity required by the Blue Book, you may still be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits if your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. To determine if your condition qualifies for Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will evaluate your medical records and determine if your case meets their requirements.
In doing so, the Social Security Administration will look at factors such as the severity of your condition, the treatment you have received, and how your condition affects your ability to function and your ability to work.
It’s important to note that even if your medical condition is listed in the Blue Book, you must still meet the other eligibility requirements, such as having enough work credits for SSDI benefits, being under full retirement age, and having below a certain level of income and assets for SSI benefits.
To sum it up, to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. Additionally, while the Blue Book contains a list of medical conditions that may automatically qualify, even if your condition is not on the list or it does not meet the Blue Book listing severity, you may still be eligible. If your condition is in the Blue Book, it’s important to understand that you must meet the very stringent requirements outlined in the listing in order to meet the listing.
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