Are You Eligible for SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance helps eligible applicants maintain a portion of their income when an accident or injury prohibits employment. Although many people know conditions as diverse as back pain and cancer make claiming benefits possible, other health conditions are also eligible.
Common SSDI Claims
There’s more than a 30 percent chance that you will need to go out on disability before you retire, according to WebMD. Severe symptoms related to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes sometimes make working full time difficult as well as unwise.
Although arthritis is one of the most common causes of long term disability claims, other musculoskeletal problems also lead to missing work. Debilitating back pain and bad hips occur frequently enough that pursuing SSDI eligibility should be strongly considered — especially if deteriorating health requires a surgical solution.
Treatment related to cancer can also force an employed person out of work. Chemotherapy causes severe side effects, as do radiation and surgical treatments. WebMD reports that cancer is the fastest growing cause of SSDI claims – not necessarily because more people are getting cancer, but because there are more treatments available that may cause uncomfortable side effects.
Mental health is another area that should not be overlooked. Although issues such as anxiety or depression may not cause the physical issues associated with arthritis or back pain, mental health disorders can be equally as debilitating. In fact, according to WebMD, mental health issues “are the most common reason that people file” for SSDI.
Dealing With a Rejected Claim
Although many SSDI applications appear clear cut, it isn’t unusual to learn that the government rejected your claim. However, it’s possible to appeal an SSDI rejection, and many individuals find the SSA denied a legitimate claim for benefits based upon wrong or incomplete information. If you’re prepared to devote a significant amount of time to defending your claim and you are still unable to work, filing an appeal may result in approval.
Your first step is to carefully review the details of the decision. These details should appear in the denial letter you received from Social Security. Note any incorrect information as well as information that does not appear on the letter. For example, did Social Security fail to consider medical records that prove your disability? If you notice inaccurate or incomplete information — and you can prove the decision is based upon bad data — the chances that you can win an appeal increase.
If you feel you are rightfully owed SSDI, an attorney may be able to help you claim your benefits.