What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides short-term or long-term benefits for people with disabilities. The program has been in effect since 1956, and during the nearly seven decades since, millions have benefited from its assistance.
With that in mind, one might wonder which types of disabilities are covered by SSDI and who, in turn, stands to benefit from it. These are important questions to ask, especially if you find yourself temporarily or permanently disabled after a serious injury.
Top 10 Disabilities Covered by SSDI
According to the Annual Statistics Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, the following are the ten most common disabilities covered by SSDI:
- Intellectual disorders
- Nervous system / sensory organ damages or diseases
- Mood disorders
- Psychotic or schizophrenic conditions
- Chronic organic brain syndromes
- Other psychiatric conditions
- Tumorous growths
- Skeletal, muscular, or soft tissue issues
- Circulatory system disabilities
- Short-term or long-term injuries
It is also important to keep in mind that just because a disability isn’t on this list doesn’t mean it cannot be claimed for disability insurance.
What Medical Conditions Qualify for Long-Term Disability?
Long-term disabilities are often related to disabilities that a person is born with. For instance, intellectual disorders like Down syndrome are present from birth.
However, not all intellectual disorders are natural. If you suffer a brain injury at birth because of medical malpractice, it may lead to developmental disorders that also qualify for long-term disability.
Similarly, one may be born with mood disorders like depression or begin to suffer from it as a result of a traumatic experience. This, too, would qualify for long-term disability.
As a general rule, any injury, illness, or disorder that falls into one of the above categories can potentially qualify for long-term disability if there is no meaningful cure. That doesn’t mean you cannot receive treatment and long-term disability simultaneously. In fact, it’s the opposite: If you require lifelong care, for instance, you are more likely to qualify for long-term disability.
What Qualifies for Short-Term Disability?
Decisions regarding short-term disability are typically based on whether some illness, injury, or condition temporarily prevents you from working.
If you were to suffer a spinal injury in a construction accident, for example, you wouldn’t be able to work in that exact position again until it heals. It doesn’t matter that you could potentially work a desk job if your employer doesn’t offer that kind of work.
Injuries aren’t the only type of disability that may qualify for short-term disability, though. Many long-term disorders may also count if they flare up only occasionally.
For example, seasonal affective disorder is a type of mood disorder that only shows symptoms during certain times of the year. And even with treatment, it may prevent someone from working for a short time.
Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
Before you do an online search for “disability lawyers near me,” try to determine whether you are likely to be approved for disability insurance if you apply. You don’t want to spend time and money fighting for benefits that you have no chance of qualifying for.
The most important sign that you will be approved is that you have sufficient medical evidence of an injury or disorder that qualifies. For something like a lifelong disorder, you should have plenty of medical documentation.
But for something like a childhood injury, such records may require significant research to uncover. Thankfully, a disability attorney can help you find this evidence and any other evidence to prove that you can’t work or make a living in any other way.
Disability Insurance May Be Able To Help You
If you are suffering from a disability, be it temporary or permanent, that prevents you from earning a living income, SSDI may be able to help. Look for your disability in the list above and consider discussing it with a disability insurance attorney to determine whether you have a sound claim on your hands.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Baton Rouge, LA
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our Baton Rouge Personal Injury lawyers at Palmintier Law Group to schedule a free consultation today.
Palmintier Law Group
618 Main St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, United States
(225) 344 3735