You noticed how tired you had become and simply attributed this to your busy and active life. Rest would help. But it did not help. Your energy level deteriorated to the point where you could no longer work.
What are your options? A logical one is to seek Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, but you wonder whether your medical ailment qualifies you to receive them.
Physical and mental disorders
Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies 67% of all claims for people seeking disability benefits. One of the main reasons for such actions is that the ailment does not qualify the person to receive these much-needed benefits.
Here is a list of ailments – physical and mental — that may qualify a person for SSD benefits:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Including back pain, joint pain, arthritis and tendonitis
- Respiratory disorders: Including cystic fibrosis, asthma, emphysema and bronchitis
- Cardiovascular disorders: Including heart failure, heart transplant, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and angina
- Sensory ailments: Including hearing loss and visual impairments such as glaucoma and macular degeneration
- Autoimmune disorders: Including diabetes, lupus and scleroderma
- Neurological disorders: Including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Blood-related disorders: Including leukemia, lymphoma, lupus and HIV/AIDS
- Types of cancer: Those that are aggressive and malignant
- Mental disorders: Including autism, depression and schizophrenia
These are just some of the medical ailments that may qualify you for SSD benefits. Take the initial step and apply for these critical benefits that will help you and your family.
Be a self-advocate
Remember that a person must be unable to work for at least a year to receive SSD benefits. In addition, you also must have a qualifying ailment. If the SSA rejects your application, please advocate for yourself and appeal. You still would have a chance to secure these benefits.
