There are several different types of medical conditions that can lead to disabilities that impair work performance. Whether you can qualify for disability benefits depends largely on how much your ability to work is directly affected by your medical condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) only offers disability benefits for those who have disabilities that significantly impair their ability to hold a steady job. Talk to a Philadelphia disability lawyer to find out more about what you need to qualify for benefits. 

Medical Conditions Eligible for Disability Benefits

Medical conditions that may be eligible for disability benefits vary from long-term diseases and severe physical injuries to neurological problems. These medical conditions are broken down into adult and childhood listings. All of these conditions can be found in the SSA Blue Book, a list of all conditions covered by disability benefits. However, even if your condition is listed in the Blue Book, you still have to meet other requirements depending on what program you apply for.

Some examples of adult medical conditions covered by disability insurance include disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, skin, endocrine system, and immune system. Mental disorders and neurological syndromes are also listed. 

Specific types of medical conditions can also be found in the Blue Book. Some of these include asthma, autism, kidney disease, lupus, cystic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, multiple sclerosis, cancers, HIV/AIDS, and others. 

How Can Disability Benefits Help Me?

The SSA offers two types of disability benefit programs called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both of these programs come with different sets of requirements and are designed for different circumstances.

For example, SSDI requires you to have earned enough work credits under Social Security to qualify. You must also be a certain age and not be able to work because of your disability. This program offers monthly payments to cover basic living expenses and is designed for people who cannot hold any kind of job because of their disability. 

SSI does not require a certain number of work credits, but rather, depends on your level of income. This is because SSI is for people who may still be able to work, but cannot earn enough wages to make a living as a result of their disability. In other words, SSI helps people who can still work, but with a low income. This type of program is also offered for people who over the age of 65 and are unable to earn a decent income. 

Disability Insurance Lawyer in Philadelphia 

Figuring out whether you meet the SSA qualifications for disability benefits can be a tedious process depending on how complex your condition is. If you have questions about this process, be sure to talk with a Philadelphia individual disability insurance lawyer to figure out what steps you need to take. Contact Edelstein & Nelson at 1-800-300-0909 for a consultation today. We can help you navigate through the application process and figure out what documents you need to submit to increase your chances of receiving benefits.