Conditions Recognized by the Social Security Administration

Serving Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach and clients throughout Florida

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a list of conditions and illnesses that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Even if you do not see your condition on the exact list, you may still qualify for SSDI. The SSA has released this list as a way to guide physicians and individuals, but by no means is this a complete list.

Physical and Mental Conditions

The SSA has a list of conditions that apply to individuals over the age of 18. These are categorized by system and include:

• Musculoskeletal Systems – This can include loss of function, disorders of the spine, amputations, soft tissue injuries, fractures, and breaks, etc.
• Special Senses and Speech – Including blindness, loss of visual acuity, deafness, loss of ability to speak, and hearing loss that cannot be treated via cochlear implant.
• Respiratory System – Including chronic respiratory conditions, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, bacterial infections, etc.
• Cardiovascular – Includes chronic heart failure, heart transplant, congenital heart disease, venous insufficiency, arterial disease, and recurrent arrhythmias.
• Digestive – Liver conditions, short bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal conditions, liver transplants, weight loss, hemorrhaging in the digestive tract.
• Genitourinary – Kidney conditions, nephrotic syndromes, and kidney failures.
• Hematological – Sickle cell disease, hereditary telangiectasia, chronic anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc.
• Skin – Dermatitis, chronic infections of the skin, bullous disease, ichthyosis, etc.
• Endocrine – Includes thyroid disorders, pituitary gland disorders, parathyroid gland problems, diabetes mellitus, and other adrenal gland disorders.
• Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Systems –Such as Down syndrome.
• Neurological – Includes epilepsy, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease. Cerebral palsy, lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, etc.
• Mental – Organic mental disorders, intellectual disabilities, affective disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Immune – Lupus, systemic sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, HIV, and other immune disorders.
• Malignant Neoplastic Diseases – Includes skin, soft tissue tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and breast cancers.

Do You Have a Qualifying Disability?

Even if you have a condition or illness on the SSA list, you may not be eligible for SSDI. You must have a qualifying disability that meets certain criteria, including:

1. Can you work? If you can still work and you earn more than $1,170 (Substantial Gainful Activity) per month, then you may not qualify for SSDI even if you have a condition on the SSA approved list. This amount is subject to change on an annual basis.
2. How severe is your condition? You must have a condition that is severe enough to affect your ability to work. If it only partially affects your ability to earn an income, then you may not qualify for SSDI.
3. Is the condition or illness on the list? The SSA list is rather extensive, and if your condition is on the list, you have a better chance for approval than a condition or illness that is not on the list.
4. Can you still perform the same work? The SSA will want to make sure that you are truly disabled. If your condition is too severe and you can no longer do the work you used to, then you may qualify.
5. Can you do other types of work? Just because you cannot work in the same industry or type of job as before does not mean you are disabled. If you can still work in a different position, then you are not eligible for SSDI.
6. How long will the disability last? If you can recover within a year or you will return to work in less than a year, then you do not qualify for SSDI. You need a condition that is expected to last more than 12 months and keep you from earning substantial employment within that period.

If you think you qualify for social security disability insurance benefits, contact the attorneys at Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P. A. We can assess your disability and tell you right away if you have a qualifying condition.

With our experience in SSDI applications, appeals, and trials, we can help you get the benefits you need when you can no longer work. Contact us today for a free consultation.