Health Conditions That Make You Eligible for Social Security Benefits

Social security disability benefits may be available to people with certain medical conditions that affect their ability to work. But to qualify for these benefits, you must meet certain criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

These criteria stipulate that a person's condition should have lasted or is expected to last at least one year and limits their ability to do substantial, gainful activity. The SSA then evaluates the limitations the person has to live with as a direct result of the condition.

This blog post describes, in detail, some health conditions that can make you eligible for social security disability benefits and how the SSA evaluates them.

Mental Disorders

Mental disorders may include conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. These conditions can affect your ability to concentrate, think rationally, and remember things. They can also affect your ability to interact with others, which makes things very complicated if you need to work.

To evaluate these mental disorders, the SSA reviews medical evidence such as lab results, psychological testing and evaluation, and statements from your physician. The SSA representatives will use the evidence to determine if the disorder is severe enough to limit your ability to do basic work functions.

In addition, the SSA will look at how your mental disorder affects your ability to perform normal everyday activities, like when you want to clean, cook, and shop. If they determine that your mental disorder causes you to not perform these activities effectively, you may still be eligible for disability benefits.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders often cause pain, stiffness, and mobility issues that limit an individual's ability to work. These conditions include arthritis, spinal disorders such as herniated discs or scoliosis, degenerative joint diseases, and neck or back injuries.

To qualify for benefits in this category, you must also provide medical evidence of the diagnosis, plus notes from doctors that detail how the condition limits your functional capacity.

Whether or not you are "disabled" will then depend on your age, education and past work history. 

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders often cause severe physical limitations since they affect the body's ability to move. Examples of these disorders include conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy. These conditions affect your ability to walk, stand and/or use your arms or hands.

The SSA will evaluate medical evidence, such as MRI or CT scans, along with reports from neurologists and other specialists to determine how the condition affects your daily life. MRI scans will show the extent of the damage to your brain or soft tissue, while CT scans show any damage to your spine or bones.

While neurological disorders can sometimes be difficult to prove, you need to provide as much detail and documentation as possible to increase your chances of approval for disability benefits. And if you have additional impairments, then your case for disability benefits will be much stronger.

These are just a few conditions that can make you eligible for social security disability benefits. Note that the SSA considers each individual's circumstances when they evaluate an application. You can get approval even if your medical condition isn't on the list above.

If you believe your medical condition is why you can no longer work and earn an income, speak with one of our representatives at Gordon & Pont about your situation. We can help you understand the eligibility requirements for social security benefits and assist you throughout the application process.

Our job is to make sure you get the help you need to navigate the difficulties of life with debilitating conditions. Contact us today to learn more about your options.