Qualifications to Receive Disability
Qualifications to Receive Disability
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Qualifications to Receive Disability
A disability can turn your entire life upside down physically, emotionally, and financially. While Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide financial help for disabled individuals, applications are complex and frequently denied. Various medical conditions and disabilities can be reasons to get disability benefits. However, applicants may have to go through an appeal process to get the financial help they deserve.
Working with a lawyer before your first application for benefits could help to prevent a denial. Our attorneys can ensure that your application is free of mistakes and accompanied by the required medical evidence and other supporting documents. If you had a disability claim denied, having an attorney in your corner can be crucial.
Morgan & Morgan’s motivated disability attorneys know how to handle disability claims and fight denials tirelessly. Get started with getting what you deserve today. Contact us for a free case review to find out how we can help.
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?
If you or a loved one becomes permanently disabled, SSDI can provide an essential lifeline with disability payments. However, to qualify, individuals must have worked a certain period of time and collected work credits before they became disabled. Applicants must also prove that they have a condition providing them with a reason to get disability benefits as per the SSDI definition.
The amount of SSDI benefits you could receive will depend on your average covered lifetime earnings before your disability. The average monthly amount disabled workers received in 2020 amounted to $1,277, according to the SSA. In some cases, a spouse or dependent children could also be eligible for certain benefits under the program.
What Are the Main Reasons for Getting Disability Benefits?
You could be entitled to SSDI benefits, if:
- You have a significant mental or physical impairment
- Your condition prevents you from working at your job
- You are unable to take up alternative work due to the disability
- Your disability is expected to last at least a year or until death
Reasons You May Not Qualify for Benefits
Individuals with a debilitating medical condition or disability that makes working difficult may wonder whether they could receive disability benefits. However, you are unlikely to be successful with a claim if:
- A medical professional believes your condition does not prevent you from working
- Your disability or condition is temporary
- You have not accrued enough work time to qualify for SSDI benefits
- You are working and earning more than $1,310 a month
It is also important to note that those applying for SSDI are generally unable to work while waiting for a decision. It can take more than a year to find out whether a claim is successful in some cases. If your chances to recover SSDI benefits are low, being without an income for a year or longer may simply not be worth the risk. However, you do not have to decide whether to apply for disability on your own. A disability lawyer can help clarify your options.
Reasons for Disability Claim Denials
Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects more than half of all first claims for disability benefits. While each claim is unique, there are some common reasons why claims are denied. Some of the main reasons for denial of disability benefits can include:
Insufficient Medical Evidence
Claims typically get denied if there is a lack of comprehensive medical evidence showing the extent of the disability. An applicant should supply strong medical proof of their disability and describe why the condition leaves them unable to work.
Failure to Follow Treatments
Failure to follow treatment advice can disqualify an individual from receiving disability benefits. If you do not follow your doctor’s treatment plan diligently, your application could be denied.
Previous Claim Denials
When a claimant receives a denial notice, they must go through a specific appeals process. If an individual simply files another application for benefits instead of appealing, their application is usually denied again.
Earning too Much
SSDI benefits are designed to help disabled individuals who cannot work. Therefore, if an applicant is working and earning a wage, they are generally ineligible for disability payments. There are some instances where individuals can collect disability benefits while earning a limited amount of income. However, being able to work usually disqualifies an applicant from receiving SSDI benefits.
Failure to Cooperate
If the SSA requests additional supporting information from an applicant, and they fail to supply the documents or refuse to cooperate, a claim will generally be unsuccessful.
Receiving a denial letter can be disappointing and upsetting. However, do not despair if your claim was denied in the first instance, as this is relatively common. You can appeal against the decision and still potentially receive disability benefits. A tenacious Social Security Disability attorney can get your paperwork in order and prepare you for the appeals process and any relevant hearings.
Conditions That Can Qualify an Individual for Disability Benefits
Details of conditions that could qualify for disability benefits are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404 and can include but are not limited to:
- Conditions of the musculoskeletal system
- Amputations
- Deformities
- Impaired senses such as hearing or sight disabilities
- Respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Digestive system disorders
- Chronic kidney disease
- Blood disorders
- Significant skin disorders
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Mental health conditions
- Cancer
- Immune system disorders
The SSA’s list of qualifying disorders, also called the “Blue Book,” is not exhaustive. The agency will consider a number of other factors when arriving at a decision, such as past work experience, age, education, the severity of medical conditions, and others. Individuals can still qualify even if their condition is not listed in the Blue Book.
However, to qualify for benefits, your condition must limit your ability to earn a living similarly to the disorders listed in the Blue Book. An attorney from our firm can work tirelessly to present your case to the SSA in the strongest possible terms.
The Evaluation Process for Receiving Disability
Many SSDI applications are denied in the first instance and have to go through one or several appeal stages. Since the screening process developed by the SSA is comprehensive, knowing what to expect when applying for disability benefits can be helpful.
Establishing Severity of the Disability
Individuals will not have enough of a reason to get disability if the SSA does not consider them permanently disabled. The agency will assess whether your condition is serious enough to prevent you from working. If the SSA determines that your disability qualifies, you will be eligible for benefits, provided you submit the necessary supporting medical evidence.
Determining Ability to Work
If your condition is not listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, you could still receive disability benefits. However, in the first instance, the SSA will want to establish whether you could still work in your previous job. If you are unable to, the agency will assess whether you could carry out another type of employment. If you could potentially adapt to other employment, your claim will most likely be denied.
You Could Get a Second Opinion
If your disability is not listed in the Blue Book, your disability claim predominantly hinges on your doctor’s cooperation. Applicants for benefits may have to complete a "Residual Functional Capacity" (RFC) assessment that includes statements from your doctor regarding what you can and cannot do due to your condition.
While a doctor does not decide whether you qualify for disability, their cooperation will be crucial for a successful claim. If a doctor’s opinion leaves you unable to apply for SSDI, you could get a second opinion from a different medical professional. A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you with the process of getting a second opinion.
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Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
Should I Hire a Lawyer Before Applying for Disability?
You are not required to work with a lawyer when applying for SSDI. However, hiring an attorney before submitting your application can be advantageous for several reasons.
The Initial Application Can Be Complex
Claimants often assume that applying for SSDI is as simple as filling out a form. However, to have a chance at receiving disability benefits, individuals generally have to provide extensive evidence, including medical reports, personal information, and other relevant paperwork.
Mistakes During the Application Process Have Consequences
Even legitimate claims may get denied. Any mistakes during the application process or lack of medical evidence could compromise your eligibility. In fact, according to figures from the SSA, only an average of 28 percent of first claims were granted during the years 2001-2010.
Our experienced attorneys can help ensure that your first application for SSD is complete and free of mistakes.
When Can I Expect to Receive My Disability Payments?
The amount of time it takes to receive your first disability check can vary depending on the strength of your application and other factors. You could get your decision in as little as three to five months if your claim is approved. However, even if the SSA finds you disabled, there is generally a five-month waiting period before the agency will pay out any benefits.
In some cases, the SSA will need more time to process an application, or they may deny your claim in the first instance. If you have to go through the appeals process, it can take a year or more to recover benefits.
How Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Help?
Facing life with a debilitating medical condition or disability is a challenge. Having to struggle with gathering all the necessary paperwork, attending medical appointments, and filing the actual claim for disability benefits can feel overwhelming. If your disability claim is missing any vital documents or there are mistakes on any of the paperwork, approval of benefits becomes unlikely.
A Social Security Disability attorney can leave no stone unturned in fighting for the benefits you need and deserve to go on with your life. Morgan & Morgan’s experienced lawyers can assist with your application from the beginning, liaise with your medical providers, and gather the relevant evidence. We can assist disability benefit claimants in many other ways, including:
Gathering Documentation to Prove Your Claim
An attorney can help to collect and organize the relevant and file your claim in a timely manner. We can arrange any further tests that may be needed to prove your eligibility for benefits. If your claim has been denied by the SSA, we will find out why and can start an appeal. A disability attorney can keep in contact with the SSA throughout the process and provide you with updates on the status of your case.
Prepare Claimants for Administrative Hearings
After a claim for benefits is denied, your next step is filing an appeal. Individuals typically have to attend a hearing with an administrative law judge during the appeals process. An attorney can be by your side every step of the way, prepare you for the hearing, and ensure you know what to expect. Our tenacious lawyers can also represent you strongly at the administrative hearing.
The appeals process can be challenging and time-consuming. However, having a determined attorney in your corner, fighting for the benefits you deserve, can provide peace of mind during a stressful time.
Morgan & Morgan Can Be Here for You
Whether you are filing your first SSDI claim or received a denial notice, you do not have to struggle on your own. Morgan & Morgan’s Social Security Disability lawyers are committed to helping disabled individuals receive the benefits they deserve and need to put their lives back together.
Our attorneys know the process of filing SSDI claims inside out and can be here for you every step of the way. Learn more about how to receive the benefits you are entitled to by filling out our contact form.