Applying for disability benefits can be tough, especially if you’re not sure if your health condition qualifies. This guide is here to help you understand which medical conditions can get you Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What Conditions Qualify For Disability in Texas?
In Texas, like other states, if your health issue stops you from working for a year or more, you might be eligible to get disability benefits. If your disabling condition is preventing you from working, then you might qualify for SSDI under the Social Security Administration. Below we will walk you through some of the many conditions that can qualify under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines.
How Does the Social Security Administration Decide?
The Social Security Administration has a guide called The Blue Book. It’s a list of health problems that might qualify you for SSDI or SSI. Here, we’ll show you what kinds of health problems are in this book and what makes them qualify for benefits.
Musculoskeletal System Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders affect bones, muscles, and joints, often resulting in pain and limited mobility. These conditions can significantly impact an individual’s ability to work.
- Arthritis
- Back injuries
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Spinal Stenosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
SSD Eligibility For Musculoskeletal Disorders: Conditions like arthritis and back injuries may qualify if they result in chronic pain, joint dysfunction, or severely limit physical tasks.
Special Senses and Speech Disorders
Disorders affecting vision, hearing, and speech can create substantial barriers to communication and daily activities.
- Blindness
- Hearing loss
- Speech impairments
- Balance disorders
- Macular Degeneration
- Larynx Cancer
- Vertigo
SSD Eligibility For Special Senses and Speech Disorders: Conditions like blindness or severe hearing loss qualify if they significantly impact communication and the ability to perform daily activities.
Respiratory Disorders
Chronic respiratory disorders can restrict lung function, making even basic tasks challenging.
- Asthma
- COPD
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Sleep Apnea
- Lung Cancer
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Tuberculosis
SSD Eligibility For Respiratory Disorders: Disorders like COPD may qualify if they result in restricted lung function, need for supplemental oxygen, or frequent hospitalizations.
Cardiovascular System Disorders
Cardiovascular conditions affect the heart and blood vessels, often limiting physical endurance and capacity.
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Arrhythmias
- Congenital heart defects
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Aneurysm
- Stroke
SSD Eligibility For Cardiovascular System Disorders: Conditions like heart failure qualify if they cause limited physical endurance, chest pain, or other significant heart-related complications.
Digestive System Disorders
Digestive system disorders can cause severe nutritional issues and affect daily life significantly.
- Crohn’s Disease
- Liver Disease
- GERD
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Colitis
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
SSD Eligibility For Digestive System Disorders: Conditions like Crohn’s Disease may qualify if they result in nutritional deficiencies, severe weight loss, or frequent hospitalizations.
Genitourinary Disorders
Genitourinary disorders involve the urinary and genital organs, often impacting daily functioning and quality of life.
- Chronic kidney disease
- Bladder dysfunction
- Prostate Cancer
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Kidney Stones
- Urinary Incontinence
SSD Eligibility For Genitourinary Disorders: Conditions like chronic kidney disease qualify if they necessitate dialysis or cause severe urinary complications.
Hematological (Blood) Disorders
Blood disorders, ranging from anemia to bone marrow failure, can severely limit an individual’s daily activities.
- Sickle cell disease
- Hemophilia
- Chronic anemia
- Bone marrow failure
- Thrombocytopenia
- Hemochromatosis
- Polycythemia Vera
SSD Eligibility For Hematological Disorders: Conditions like sickle cell disease may qualify if they require frequent blood transfusions or cause excessive bleeding.
Skin Disorders
Severe skin disorders can result in chronic pain, infections, and significant mobility limitations.
- Severe eczema
- Psoriasis
- Skin cancer
- Burns
- Dermatitis
- Vitiligo
- Bullous Diseases
SSD Eligibility For Skin Disorders: Conditions like severe psoriasis may qualify if they result in chronic skin lesions, infections, or limited mobility.
Endocrine Disorders
Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, affect hormone levels and can have widespread effects on the body.
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Hyperglycemia
- Addison’s Disease
- Cushing’s Syndrome
SSD Eligibility For Endocrine Disorders: Conditions like diabetes may qualify if they cause complications such as neuropathy
Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
These disorders are present from birth and can impact multiple body systems, leading to a range of physical and developmental challenges.
- Down Syndrome
- Congenital heart defects
- Spina bifida
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Turner Syndrome
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Fragile X Syndrome
SSD Eligibility For Congenital Disorders: Qualification depends on the severity of physical and developmental impairments that affect daily activities and work capacity.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, often causing cognitive and motor function impairments.
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cerebral Palsy
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
SSD Eligibility For Neurological Disorders: Disorders like Multiple Sclerosis may qualify if they lead to significant cognitive impairments, motor function issues, or other neurological complications.
Mental Disorders
Mental health disorders can profoundly affect an individual’s ability to function in daily life and maintain employment.
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
SSD Eligibility For Mental Disorders: Conditions like severe depression qualify if they significantly affect daily activities, social functioning, or the ability to concentrate and work.
Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
Cancer encompasses a wide range of conditions, each with varying degrees of severity and treatment side effects.
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- Melanoma
- Prostate Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Ovarian Cancer
SSD Eligibility For Cancer: The severity and stage of cancer, along with treatment side effects, are key factors. For example, advanced-stage cancers or those requiring intensive treatments often qualify.
Immune System Disorders
Immune system disorders can lead to frequent infections and autoimmune reactions, severely affecting daily life.
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Scleroderma
SSD Eligibility For Immune System Disorders: Conditions like HIV/AIDS qualify if they lead to compromised immune function, frequent infections, or severe autoimmune reactions impacting daily functioning.
Qualifying for SSDI: Understanding the Basics
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it’s crucial to understand what’s needed to qualify. This process can seem complicated, but breaking it down into simpler terms can help.
Medical Evidence is Key
One of the most important parts of your SSDI application is showing solid proof of your medical condition. This isn’t just about saying you have a certain illness or disability; it’s about providing detailed evidence. Here’s what you need:
Diagnosis: You’ll need to provide a formal diagnosis from a medical professional. This means your doctor’s written statement explaining what your condition is.
Treatment History: It’s also essential to show what treatments you’ve tried. This includes any medications, surgeries, therapies, or other treatments in your medical record. The idea is to demonstrate that you’ve been actively seeking help for your condition.
Impact on Your Work: You need to prove that your condition affects your ability to work. This can be the hardest part, as it’s not just about the illness itself but how it stops you from doing your job. For example, if you have severe back pain, you’d need to show how it prevents you from standing, lifting, or sitting for long periods – things that might be crucial for your work.
In addition to these general qualifications surrounding your medical and work history, there are more specific qualifications for each listing of an impairment that can help you qualify. These qualifications, listed in the Blue Book, typically include a person’s ability to perform basic tasks that would allow a person to live pain-free and independently.
Some examples can include being able to cook, obtain groceries, bathe, sleep, climb stairs, work, and concentrate. These can help inform your case and show that you’re unable to work.
Duration of the Condition
The Social Security Administration (SSA) isn’t just looking for any medical condition; they’re looking for long-term issues. Generally, your condition should be expected to last at least 12 months or one year. If your condition is life-threatening, then this can also help you qualify for SSDI benefits.
If your illness or disability is temporary, you might not qualify. This rule is there to ensure that those who qualify for SSDI or SSDI have long-term, permanent disabilities or a disability that will result in death.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income Eligibility
Qualifying for SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, shares many similarities to SSDI. Unlike an SSDI benefits program, however, this one exclusively helps people who need financial assistance and have a disability, but don’t have a recent work history. To qualify, there are a few simple things you need to know:
Limited Income and Resources: SSI is for people who don’t have much money or many things they own. This means you can’t have a lot of income or valuable things like a big savings account or a home you don’t live in. If you’re married, your spouse’s income is considered.
Disability or Age: You must either have a disability, which means a health condition that makes you unable to work full-time, or be 65 years or older.
It’s important to remember that SSI is there to help those who need it most. If you think you fit these rules, you might be eligible for this support.
Obtain Your Free Consultation For SSDI or SSI
For professional guidance through the SSDI or SSI application process, turn to the Law Office of Gerard Lynch. Our experienced team is committed to helping you secure the benefits you need. Schedule a comprehensive disability consultation with us at Gerard Lynch Law. We’re here to support your journey toward a successful claim.
