There can be many different ways of reaching the same goal for Georgia residents. While one road may work better for some, others may prefer or need to go down a different path to reach the same goal.
This is certainly true when it comes to Social Security disability benefits for illnesses. Last week in this blog, the Listing of Medical Impairments was discussed, which sets out a number of impairments that automatically qualify a person for benefits.
However, many individuals may not have a medical condition that falls on the Listing of Medical Impairments. Nonetheless, these individuals can still qualify for benefits through other means.
First, individuals typically must show their medical condition is one that has been the subject of clinical or laboratory testing, or what is known as a medically determinable impairment. This simply means the condition needs to be something supported by clinical reports.
The condition also must be shown to limit the person’s residual functional capacity, which is a term of art under the federal regulations. This means the person is limited in his or her activities because of the medical condition. The RFC will examine the person’s ability to lift and carry items, as well as the person’s ability to climb, bend down and perform other activities.
Ultimately, while there are different requirements that must be met in order for a person to qualify for benefits without having a medical condition on the Listing of Medical Impairments, the important thing is to recognize that the person can still qualify for benefits. By understanding the requirements that must be met, individuals can put themselves in the best possible position to obtain benefits.
Source: Findlaw, “Medical conditions that qualify you for disability claims,” accessed on Feb. 28, 2015
