
If you win your claim for disability but the SSA
Social Security Administration
The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social …
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How do I qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability.
What are the different types of Social Security disability benefits?
Eligibility Focus on Disability Benefits. At the federal level, and under the jurisdiction of Social Security, there are two programs that will pay benefits to disabled individuals. They are Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Can you get Social Security disability benefits for addiction?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits are not available to those that have a disabling condition that stems from addiction if the condition is considered to be reversible. Despite these stumbling blocks, it is not impossible for you to obtain disability.
What is the Social Security disability list of impairments?
This Social Security Disability list of impairments details all qualifying medical conditions that meet the test for disability. While it is a comprehensive list, if you have a medical condition not listed in the Blue Book, you can still possibly qualify for SSDI benefits.

What conditions are automatically approved for disability?
Some of the conditions that may automatically qualify the policyholder for social security disability benefits include:Musculoskeletal system and connective problems including: Arthritis. ... Mental disorders including: ... Cardiovascular conditions and circulatory disorders: ... Cancer.Nervous system and sense organs conditions:
What does SSDI consider a disability?
The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
What disqualifies a person from disability?
You Earn Too Much Income For SSDI, which is the benefit program for workers who have paid into the Social Security system over multiple years, one of the most basic reasons you could be denied benefits is that, when you apply, you are working above the limit where it is considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA).
How does SSDI determine eligibility?
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must fulfill two criteria: You must have worked a specified amount of time in jobs covered by Social Security, and you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled.
What is the most approved disability?
1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
Is anxiety a disability?
Anxiety disorders, such as OCD, panic disorders, phobias or PTSD are considered a disability and can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Those with anxiety can qualify for disability if they are able to prove their anxiety makes it impossible to work.
How can I increase my chances of getting disability?
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Disability BenefitsFile Your Claim as Soon as Possible. ... Make an Appeal within 60 Days. ... Provide Full Details of Medical Treatment. ... Provide Proof of Recent Treatment. ... Report your Symptoms Accurately. ... Provide Medical Evidence. ... Provide Details of your Work History.More items...•
What are the top 10 disabilities?
What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...
How hard is it to get on disability?
Approval Rates For Denials. Social Security disability applications face an overwhelming 70% denial rate upon initial evaluation. That is a huge number but it is based upon several very different factors, such as applying for a condition that does not meet the criteria or lack of proper medical documentation.
What are the 5 steps for SSDI?
Social Security Administration's 5-Step Sequential Disability EvaluationStep 1: Financial Eligibility. ... Step 2: Severe Impairment. ... Step 3: Impairment Criteria. ... Step 4: Previous Employment. ... Step 5: Work Capacity. ... Submitting an SSI or SSDI Application.
What are the stages of SSDI?
There are four stages for SSDI and SSI applications: Initial, Reconsideration, Hearing, and Appeals Council. These steps are the same for both SSI and SSDI applicants.
How long can you collect SSDI?
For those who suffer from severe and permanent disabilities, there is no “expiration date” set on your Social Security Disability payments. As long as you remain disabled, you will continue to receive your disability payments until you reach retirement age.
What is the work incentive for Social Security?
There are also a number of special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, ...
Does Social Security pay for partial disability?
Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if all of the following are true: You cannot do work that you did before because of your medical condition.
How is SSDI funded?
SSDI is funded by FICA Social Security payroll taxes. Workers earn SSDI by accumulating enough work credits throughout their working life. In order to qualify for SSDI, a person must be under 65 years old and have a qualifying severe disability as designated by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
What happens after you apply for SSDI?
After you’ve applied for SSDI, the federal government will have to determine if you meet the work requirements necessary to receive benefits. Work requirements look at both recent work and the duration of your work. If you meet both, the severity of your disability will then be determined.
How is SSDI based on age?
SSI eligibility is determined based on age, disability and available resources, while SSDI is based on a person’s disability and work credits. For most people, medical requirements that will allow you to receive disability payments are the same for both, and disability is determined using the same process. Both SSI and SSDI are managed by the ...
How long does it take to get SSDI?
As soon as you become disabled, you should apply for SSDI benefits. There is a five month delay from the time you apply until the time you receive your first SSDI payment. Generally, it takes three to five months to process disability applications. In addition, if your Social Security Disability application is rejected for any reason, you will experience further delays if you decide to go through a multi-step appeals process.
Why am I denied my Social Security disability?
In fact, only about 1 in 3 applicants are initially approved for SSDI benefits. The two main reasons for denial are usually a lack of work credits, or that applicants do not meet the criteria for disability.
What happens if you are turned down for Social Security?
If you have been turned down, you do have the right to go through a Social Security Disability appeal process. Either you or your designated representative can file a “Request for Reconsideration.”. Your initial appeal will then be turned over to Disability Determination Services, who will thoroughly review your file.
What is a disability starter kit?
To assist you in creating your application, Social Security has developed a Disability Starter Kit that provides information about the documents and information that you will be requested to provide. Because an application can be complicated and lengthy, this is a good place to start and to keep you organized. The kit also explains how Social Security’s disability programs work and what decision-making processes are used to determine your eligibility.
What is SSDI disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available to disabled workers that meet all medical and technical qualification rules. To get benefits through this Social Security Administration (SSA) disability program, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system through taxes. You must additionally be able ...
What is the Blue Book for SSDI?
In addition to listing qualifying conditions for SSDI, the Blue Book also outlines the medical evidence required for approval with disability. Essential pieces of medical evidence are detailed under the individual listing for each condition.
What to do if you have a complicated disability claim?
If you have an especially complicated claim, ask a Social Security attorney to review your application before submitting it. Lawyers often know disability secrets that apply to someone in your specific situation that you wouldn’t find anywhere online.
What age do you have to be to get SSDI?
(According to the SSA, that usually means you haven’t turned 65, 66 or 67 yet, depending on your birth year.)
How long can you work if you are on a sudden disability?
If a sudden disability makes working obviously impossible on a short-term basis, you may be exempted from the five-month rule. The SSA will estimate how long your inability to work should last based on your medical diagnosis. If it’s one year or longer, you may still qualify for disability benefits. 2.
How long should I be out of work before filing for SSDI?
1. Ideally, you should have already been out of work for five months or more when you apply for SSDI.
How long does a doctor have to diagnose a disability?
A doctor must medically diagnose you with a condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Do not apply for disability benefits until your doctor confirms that your condition meets the SSA’s internal definition of “disabled.”.
Can I get SSDI if I can't work?
Disability Secrets for Getting Your SSDI Benefits Claim Approved. Getting approved for disability benefits isn’t easy, especially if your condition isn’t visibly severe or terminal. But if your disability makes you unable to work, you can apply for benefits through the federal government’s SSDI program.
Can a spouse get SSDI if their spouse dies?
If your spouse dies while getting SSDI, any of the deceased’s dependents may qualify for those benefits going forward.
How Depression Is Treated
Depression treatment may include medications, psychotherapy, and alternative treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your medical team may recommend that you try one treatment at a time or more than one treatment concurrently. Below, is an overview of the different types of treatments that may be suggested to you:
Exceptions to Getting Treatment
If you fail to follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan, then you may need to justify your lack of compliance to the Social Security Administration in order to be found eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
Protecting the Social Security Disability Benefits You Have Earned
If you are struggling with depression and you and your doctors believe that your condition is permanently disabling, then it is important to protect your right to receive Social Security disability benefits.
What is SSI disability?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability & Medicaid coverage. Waiting for a disability status decision and don’t have health insurance. No disability benefits, no health coverage. The Marketplace application and disabilities. More information about health care for people with disabilities.
How long do you have to wait to get Medicare if you have Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) & Medicare coverage. If you get Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), you probably have Medicare or are in a 24-month waiting period before it starts. You have options in either case.
Can I enroll in a Medicare Marketplace plan if I have Social Security Disability?
You’re considered covered under the health care law and don’t have to pay the penalty that people without coverage must pay. You can’t enroll in a Marketplace plan to replace or supplement your Medicare coverage.
Can I get medicaid if I have SSDI?
You may be able to get Medicaid coverage while you wait. You can apply 2 ways: Create an account or log in to complete an application. Answer “ yes” when asked if you have a disability.
Can I get medicaid if I'm turned down?
If you’re turned down for Medicaid, you may be able to enroll in a private health plan through the Marketplace while waiting for your Medicare coverage to start.
What to do when you have a medical impairment?
Prepare thorough documentation of the dates, location, and specifics of any appointments, treatments, and hospitalizations that are pertinent to your impairment. Listing specific physicians, prescriptions, or any tests and their results can also be important.
How long does a disability last?
has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. If they deem that you fulfill these and your illness falls within the guidelines for conditions stated in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, then you may qualify for benefits.
What is the DAA evaluation?
This is called a drug and alcohol abuse (DAA) evaluation. This determines if the substance abuse is a contributing factor.
What are the different types of mental disorders?
Personality disorders. Seizures. Organic mental disorders. Liver Damage. Gastritis. Pancreatitis. It is important that you can illustrate the exact nature of your condition and disability and provide clear examples and evidence of how the circumstance stands separate from any drug or alcohol use.
What are the criteria for a symlink?
In order to do so, you must meet the listing criteria for the specific illness in order to prove this. The conditions that can be considered are: 1 Anxiety 2 Depression 3 Peripheral neuropathies 4 Personality disorders 5 Seizures 6 Organic mental disorders 7 Liver Damage 8 Gastritis 9 Pancreatitis
Can a drug claim be successful?
For someone that has a disabling condition the claim will only be successful if it is determined that the continued use of the substance does not contribute to the state of disability. In this case, drug use is an immaterial factor. It is only when the addiction causes irreversible medical conditions that the government will allow ...
Can you get disability for drug addiction?
Currently, drug or alcohol addiction alone is not enough to warrant disability benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits are not available to those that have a disabling condition that stems from addiction if the condition is considered to be reversible.
How long does a disability last?
Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months, and. Your condition must have a severe impact on your ability to work. If you do not meet these basic requirements, the SSA will automatically deny your claim.
What happens if you win a disability claim?
If you win your claim for disability but the SSA believes you are still using drugs, the SSA may require that you attend treatment for your drug addiction and that you have a representative payee. A representative payee will receive your Social Security check and manage your payments on your behalf. The representative payee can be a person that you trust such as a parent or it can be a qualified organization. The representative payee is expected to prevent you from spending the money on drugs. Learn more about representative payees.
What changes qualify for substance abuse?
The changes that qualified were brain damage, liver damage, pancreatitis, gastritis, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, anxiety disorder, major clinical depression, or personality disorder. The listing for substance addiction disorders required that you met the criteria of the listing for the particular condition.
Can you be denied disability for drug abuse?
If you have been medically diagnosed with drug addiction, the SSA cannot generally hold this against you when determining whether you are eligible for disability because of a physical or mental condition other than drug abuse. However, if the SSA determines that your illness would go away if you stopped abusing drugs, the SSA can properly deny your claim. For instance, if you have drug-induced hepatitis, the SSA would likely find that it would go away if you quit using drugs.
Can you get disability for drug addiction?
You can't get disability benefits for drug addiction, but you can sometimes get disability if you are or were addicted to drugs. Although drug addiction often substantially impairs a person's ability to work, an applicant will not be approved for disability on the basis of the drug addiction. Even though the effects of substance abuse may prevent ...
Can a drug addiction cause disability?
Disability for Damage Caused by Drug Addiction. Social Security acknowledges that the use of substances can cause medical and mental conditions that cannot be reversed simply by abstaining from the substances. At some point, most chronic substance abusers will have irreversible medical or mental problems because of the changes ...
Does Social Security cover substance abuse?
Even though the effects of substance abuse may prevent an individual from maintaining regular employment, Social Security does not consider substance abuse to be disabling until it causes irreversible medical conditions. This does not mean that you cannot win approval for a physical or mental condition that was caused by a drug addiction.
What does the SSA look for in a person with peripheral neuropathy?
The SSA will look for information that shows how well you can use your arms and hands, stand, and walk. For instance, if you have peripheral sensory neuropathy that limits the sensation in your legs or feet, you may have difficulty walking or using foot controls.
What is an RFC in SSA?
For instance, an RFC can be for medium work, light work, or sedentary work. To determine your RFC, the SSA will review your medical history, your doctor's opinion (if it details your functional limitations and is backed up by medical evidence), and statements from you, your family, and your friends.
Does diabetes qualify for disability?
Unfortunately, diabetes is no longer included as a separate disability listing, so showing you have been diagnosed with diabetes won't automatically get you disability benefits. ...
Does Social Security consider diabetes?
If you have diabetes and another impairment, such as depression or obesity, Social Security must consider the combined effects of your impairments when considering if your condition is equal to a listing and when doing your RFC analysis.
Can diabetes affect disability?
But to qualify for disability benefits, the damage caused by your diabetes must severely limit what you can do , or you must have complications that fulfill the requirements of one of Social Security's disability listings.
Can you get disability based on diabetes?
Most people who apply for disability based largely on diabetes are denied benefits the first time around and need to file an appeal to get a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. A disability lawyer can help you at a hearing by using strategies like combining the effects of multiple impairments, showing you have reduced productivity, proving you can't do sedentary work, and cross-examining Social Security's vocational expert at the hearing. Contact a local disability attorney here.
