Overview
If you’re one of the tens of thousands of Americans suffering from a debilitating medical condition that prevents you from holding a job, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides two financial assistance programs for those living with crippling disabilities; Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
It’s highly recommended you speak with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer to determine which program is more optimal for you and your family. Before that happens, here are the 5 medical conditions that have the highest reported success for qualifying for Social Security disability benefits.
1. Arthritis
It’s estimated that over 49 million adults and 250,000 children exhibit some type of arthritis. Currently, there are over 100 known forms of arthritis and similar conditions, which typically cause swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints.
While some types of arthritis are manageable, some forms can be debilitating and prevent the sufferer from living a healthy, functional lifestyle. For those with a form of arthritis that prevents them from completing daily tasks and/or keeping a job, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.
2. Degenerative Disc Disease
DDD or Degenerative Disc Disease is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the spine. It’s not uncommon, DDD harms over 3 million people of all ages in the United States. DDD typically causes severe back and neck pain, numbness in the limbs, inflammation, soreness, and prevents the victim from completing basic tasks without severe pain.
People living with DDD commonly find extreme difficulty in working, moving, or completing essential tasks such as bathing or dressing. As a result, they suffer from financial hardship which damages their health. If you’re currently struggling with Degenerative Disc Disease, then you may be able to receive financial assistance from Social Security.
3. Cancer
Cancer is the result of the uncontrollable division of the body’s cells. These divisions create tumors from the build-up of excess cells. Tumors directly prevent the body from functioning properly. The most common cancer diseases are breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, skin cancer, and lymphoma.
While it depends on which stage the cancer is at, a victim can expect to face debilitating complications in their mobility, chronic pain, a dependency on medical equipment and treatment procedures, and the side effects experienced as a direct result of these procedures. Those with invasive, severe, or terminal cancers may be eligible to receive disability benefits from Social Security so that they can focus on their health instead of the crippling financial burden that comes with fighting cancer.
4. Paralysis
Paralysis refers to the loss of muscle function or feeling in an area of the body. It’s considered a symptom rather a disease. It is commonly seen in those who experienced severe damage to their spine, strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, physical trauma, spina bifida, but can occur as a result of any other disabling condition.
In addition to the inability to use certain areas of their body, paralysis victims can also expect to experience bowel complications, ulcers, loss of libido, or serious mental disorders such as depression or anxiety. The Social Security Administration recognizes individuals suffering from paralysis as disabled, and commonly awards these individuals with disability benefits to financially compensate for the inability to work.
5. Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is the disorder of the CNS (Central Nervous System) that adversely affects movement and worsens as the individual ages. Those with Parkinson’s typically experience tremors, impaired movement, limb stiffness, inability to balance themselves, and loss of coordination.
It’s currently estimated that over 210,000 individuals in the United States are living with Parkinson’s Disease. There is no cure for Parkinson’s; since the disease gradually cripples the sufferer physically and psychologically, they eventually will be unable to work, making them likely eligible to receive disability benefits from Social Security.
You Are Not Alone
If you are living with a disabling condition described above or any other medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Speak with a professional disability attorney immediately to begin the Social Security disability application process. A disability lawyer is able to explain the complicated process to you and help collect the necessary documentation for your application. They can even represent you in court during the appeals process if your case extends to it. If you want your application to have the highest chance of success, don’t wait, speak to a disability lawyer today to see if you could start receiving disability benefits.
