If you suffer from a herniated lumbar disk, you probably feel acute pain that moves from the lower back down through one or both legs. The severe pain eventually ends up at one or both feet. This type of pain is generated by a condition called sciatica, and it can be one of the worst types of pain you will ever feel. In fact, the pain is so bad that it can cause you to miss extended periods from work.
Disk herniation is experienced most often because of the natural wear and tear done to the lumbar disc over the course of time. However, it can also happen to much younger workers that tear or rupture a disc while performing a strenuous physical activity. Regardless of the cause of a herniated disc.
The time lost from work means you should submit a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The Odds are in Your Favor
Two SSA programs offer money to American citizens and legal residents that experience serious financial distress. For workers debilitated by a disability, the option for obtaining financial relief is called SSDI. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also an SSA program, which represents an income subsidy platform for people that have low incomes and do not have a way to meet the minimum income threshold established by the SSA.
If a herniated disc has forced you out of the workforce and thus, dramatically lowered your monthly income, then applying for SSDI benefits is the way to move forward. The SSA approves a majority of SSDI applications.
The Blue Book: Guide for Determining SSDI Benefits
As the official SSA guide for determining the eligibility of SSDI applicants, the Blue Book presents a long list of medical conditions that make applicants eligible for benefits.
Most of the medical conditions listed in the Blue Book are considered common conditions by the American Medical Association (AMA). However, there is also a list of medical impairments that represent injuries that are caused by vocation-specific tasks.
How are SSDI Decisions Made?
Is you suffer from a disability, and you need money to pay for daily expenses and the high costs associated with medical care, then you should apply for SSDI benefits. You need to submit an SSDI application that presents detailed information about how you were injured, as well as why your injury prevents you from going back to work.
The SSDI application requires focused attention to complete, as it is long, and it requires a detailed explanation about your disability. A team of disability experts at the SSA review your application, before deciding whether you deserve SSDI benefits.
Know How to Apply for SSDI Benefits
You have several ways to apply for SSDI benefits. Perhaps the most time consuming way to apply for SSDI benefits is to stop by the nearest SSA office. SSA offices typically bustle with activity, which means you might have to wait hours simply to have your application received by someone working at the SSA office.
The better option is to submit an SSDI application online at the SSA website. The process takes a little time to complete, and you receive assurance that your application was received by the SSA because the agency sends you a confirmation number.
A disability lawyer who handles SSDI cases can help you navigate the long and sometimes frustrating application process. Schedule a free initial consultation today with a state licensed disability attorney.
