Qualifying Conditions For Social Security Disability Benefits
Many people delay their disability claims for months or years unnecessarily because they do not know if their condition is truly “disabling.”
I am Hattiesburg attorney Nicholas T. Grillo, at Grillo Law Firm, and I can help you understand if you qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits here in Mississippi. I will take the fear out of the disability application process and help you through this difficult time.
What Conditions Qualify For SSDI And SSI Benefits?
Although SSDI and SSI benefits have many separate rules, both require applicants to meet the definition of what it means to be “disabled” according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for either benefit program, you must show that you have one or more conditions that prevent you from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA) and that the condition is either expected to last for at least 12 months or end in death.
The Social Security Administration maintains a list of qualifying impairments that commonly meet its definitions of disability. This includes:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Severe back and spinal injuries, joint damage and chronic pain
- Neurological disorders: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), neuropathy and seizure disorders
- Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD and CPTSD, schizophrenia and other conditions that significantly limit daily functioning
- Immune system disorders: Lupus (SLE and SCLE), rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS and numerous other autoimmune disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions: Chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease and arrhythmias
- Respiratory disorders: Asthma, COPD and chronic lung disease
- Endocrine disorders: Diabetes with severe complications, thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease and other hormone-related conditions
- Digestive system disorders: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, severe liver disease and other chronic gastrointestinal conditions
- Sensory impairments: Significant vision or hearing loss that is highly limiting
- Cancer: Leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other metastatic cancers
It is critical to understand, however, that your exact condition does not have to be on SSA’s listing of impairments. Many applicants qualify for benefits due to the unique combination of multiple mental and physical conditions that prevent them from sustaining full-time work activity.
Reach Out Today To Start Your SSDI Or SSI Claim
If you want a Hattiesburg lawyer who cares about your situation and who will zealously advocate for your claim, call Grillo Law Firm at 769-447-3647 today or use the online contact form to send a message. I offer free consultations and contingency fees, so there is never any risk to you.