Do you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?
The Social Security Administration takes a hard line in deciding what constitutes a disability. For example, diabetes, heart disease or even cancer do not automatically qualify. You must meet specific criteria or otherwise prove that your condition prevents you from working full-time on a sustained basis.
Convincing the Social Security Administration to award disability benefits can be a frustrating and intimidating process. Greg Jones Law of Wilmington, North Carolina, has helped hundreds of clients meet the definition of disability for both physical and mental impairments.
Our disability lawyers handle SSDI and SSI claims in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
What constitutes a disability?
The Social Security Administration defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s). The impairment must be expected to result in death or it must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more.
In general, the SSA must be satisfied that you cannot work full-time in your previous job, a similar job or any job. Your disability must meet the criteria under one of the official listed impairments or you must provide other proof that your injury, illness or mental disorder prevents you from holding a job.
The Social Security Administration specifies a number of impairments in 14 categories under which you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Below is a partial list of common conditions:
- Cardiovascular — chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease
- Digestive system — Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, liver disease, cirrhosis
- Endocrine system — Gland disorders, complications of diabetes, complications of morbid obesity
- Genitourinary — Kidney failure
- Blood disorders — Anemia, hemochromatosis, sickle cell disease
- Immune system — Lupus, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS
- Malignant neoplastic disease — Cancer, leukemia, lymphoma
- Mental impairment — Depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks and anxiety disorders, autism, schizophrenia
- Multiple body systems — genetic disorders, congenital defects, fetal alcohol syndrome
- Musculoskeletal — carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disk, certain bone fractures, spine disorders, arthritis, fibromyalgia
- Neurological — epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, stroke, traumatic brain injury,
- Respiratory — Severe asthma, COPD, emphysema, lung infections, sleep apnea
- Skin disorders — Severe burns, chronic skin disease, photosensitivity
- Special senses and speech — Speech pathology, hearing loss, vision loss
Wilmington and Charlotte disability qualification lawyers
A qualifying condition is only part of the solution. Our attorneys can help you prepare and submit your initial application to make sure you have the proper documentation of how your disabling condition affects your daily life and your ability to participate in the work force. We can represent you in appealing a denied claim at any stage of the process.
We handle SSDI and SSI cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront fees, and we do not collect attorney fees or expenses unless you are approved for benefits
