Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), or sometimes abbreviated as SSD, is a Social Security program that gives monthly benefits to people who had become disabled before they reached their retirement age and are no longer able to work. Applying for an SSD claim is simple enough, but only a handful of these Social Security disability applications in Utah get approved on the first application attempt because the requirements are quite strict.
Eligibility
You will need to undergo a strict medical review before the Social Security Administration (SSA) grants you SSD benefits as they want to know if your condition is severe enough for you to receive benefits. In a nutshell, your illness must meet Social Security’s definition of disability. You will also need to have worked in jobs covered by Social Security for a certain time.
Medical Conditions that Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits
Some of the medical conditions listed in Social Security’s blue book include the following:
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Respiratory illnesses
- Senses and speech issues
- Mental disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Immune system disorders
- Skin disorders
- Digestive tract problems
- Cancer
- Kidney disease and genitourinary problems
- Hematological disorders
When applying for a Social Security disability claim, you don’t necessarily have to satisfy the exact requirements listed for a particular condition or illness. It’s still possible to get awarded disability benefits if Social Security decides that aspects of your condition are medically equivalent to the criteria of a condition or a similar condition in the listing.
If your condition is not found or does not equal any medical condition in the listing, you can still be eligible for disability benefits as long as your illness limits your functioning so much that it prevents you from working.
Evaluation Process
While there are several conditions listed in SSA’s blue book, every applicant must go through a rigorous evaluation process. This includes answering the five questions below:
- Do you currently have a job?
- How severe is your condition?
- Is your condition listed in SSA’s list of disabling conditions?
- Can you still do the same work you did previously?
- Can you do another type of work?
Appealing a Denied Application
Most applicants commit one or two mistakes when applying for Social Security disability benefits. That’s why many SSD applications get denied on their first try. In fact, only 30% of applications get approved at the initial stage of the application process.
Some people just apply all over again, but that’s not really a wise move. It’s true that the appeal process takes longer than just reapplying. However, your chances of getting rejected again are much higher if you simply reapply. Thus, you are better off making an appeal even if it does take more time. However, take note that if you submit the same documents you did before, you will likely get denied again. Before you pursue the appeal process, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer who is an expert in this matter. They can help you figure out what went wrong the first time and make necessary amendments to your documents before submitting them.
The earlier you hire legal help for your SSD application, the better. In fact, hiring a lawyer at the onset of your application process can increase your chances of getting approved. However, if you go ahead with the application yourself and get denied, you can still hire a lawyer to help you make an appeal.
