Living with a chronic or severe illness is not easy. The individual affected may suffer from pain, exhaustion and other debilitating symptoms. Georgia residents may wonder what types of illnesses may be covered by Social Security disability insurance benefits.
In general, in order to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits, also known as SSDI, you must first prove that you suffer from one of the qualifying disabilities, or if your disability is not listed, prove that your disability prevents you from actively working. You must also prove that your disability is expected to last at least one year or ultimately end in death.
Among the illnesses that may qualify for SSDI benefits are the following: musculoskeletal issues such as back, joint and bones conditions; sensory disabilities such as hear or vision loss; cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure; digestive tract problems such as inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease; neurological disorders like cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis; blood disorders like hemophilia and sickle cell disease; mental disorders including but not limited to anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, depression and intellectual disabilities; and immune system disorders like kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and HIV/AIDS.
Again it is worth repeating that even if your illness is not listed, if you are able to prove that your illness is debilitating and prevents you from seeking gainful work, you may still seek benefits.
The application process is complex, add to it your illness and you may find it difficult to properly fill out the necessary forms and provide information that the Social Security Administration requires. Considering the fact that many applicants are initially denied benefits, it may be wise to seek the advice and assistance from a law professional familiar with Social Security disability benefits for illnesses to determine whether you would qualify and to help you along the way in an effort to get you approved for the benefits program.
Source: FindLaw, “Medical Conditions that Qualify You for Disability Claims,” Accessed Sept. 29, 2015
