Struggling with an injury or medical condition that permanently disables you can impact your life in many ways. For instance, if you have a permanent disability, you may be unable to work. If you can’t work, you can’t earn an income and support yourself.
Do you find yourself in this situation? If so, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is an option if your condition qualifies as a permanent disability according to the SSA’s standards.
Conditions that may meet “permanent disability” criteria include:
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Depending on their severity, certain musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal conditions, and carpal tunnel syndrome may qualify one for disability benefits. Even with treatment, these conditions may not go away, and they can significantly interfere with one’s ability to work.
Vision Loss
A person may qualify for disability benefits if they’re blind or have a condition which results in vision loss. In many fields and occupations, vision loss will prevent someone from performing work duties.
Hearing Loss
Similar to vision loss, hearing loss often prevents one from working. A person may thus have a permanent disability that qualifies them for benefits if they’ve lost their hearing in an accident or if they’ve developed a medical condition which causes hearing loss.
Cardiovascular Conditions
Cardiovascular conditions can make it difficult or virtually impossible for someone to fill a job that involves manual labor, high levels of stress, or both. Even if a patient receives treatment for a cardiovascular condition, they might still be unable to work.
Permanent Disabilities and Social Security Benefits
Do you have a permanent disability that prevents you from working? If so, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. These benefits serve to offer financial assistance to those struggling with health issues that permanently prevent them from earning an income.
Refer to the SSA’s Blue Book for more information. This resource offers detailed overviews of the various types of conditions that may qualify as permanent disabilities. Be aware, the conditions in the above list aren’t the only ones that meet the criteria necessary for one to collect disability benefits.
The Blue Book also explains the types of medical evidence you may need to present to show that you are eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. It’s worth noting that you might not need to collect this evidence on your own. A lawyer could potentially help you put together a claim. They could also provide assistance if the SSA denies your claim when you first apply for benefits.
Get Help With Your Permanent Disability Claim
Demonstrating that you have a permanent disability and therefore should receive disability benefits isn’t necessarily an easy task. According to the SSA, only about 31% of initial claims receive approvals.
You may find it’s easier to show you have a permanent disability with assistance from a legal professional who has experience handling such matters. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
