Qualifying Disabilities

Birmingham, Alabama

How You Qualify
If your work history is long enough you qualify for benefits and you have a physical or mental illness that should prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months, you may qualify for Social Security benefits insurance.

The definition of "disability" under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines is very strict. There are five main factors that you can assess to see if you qualify under SSA guidelines:

Maximum earnings: If you continued to work after becoming disabled, you can not have earned (or currently earn) more than $860 per month or more during the first 12 months of your disability.
Inability to work: Your condition must prevent you from consistently performing the basic duty of your job.
Qualifying disability: Your medical problem must be on the SSA list of qualifying conditions, or be equally severe (see list below)

If you meet these first three requirements, you are considered disabled by Social Security. If you only meet the first two requirements, but do not meet the third, then you may still qualify as disabled if you also meet last two.
Inability to perform previous work: Your condition must prevent you from consistently performing the work you did previously.
Inability to adjust to new work: You cannot adjust to other work.

Your medical condition must either appear on the Social Security Administration's list of qualifying medical conditions, or be equally severe. These include:

Amputation
Anxiety
Arthritis
Back injuries or back pain
Bipolar disorder
Brain injury or tumors
Cancer
Cerebral palsy
Fibromyalgia
Depression
Diabetes
Liver disease
Chronic colitis
Hemorrhaging
Down syndrome
Heart problems
Hepatitis
Herniated disc
Hip replacement
HIV
Kidney transplant
Loss of speech
Lupus
Mental health disabilities
Motor function issues
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Schizophrenia
Spinal arachnoiditis
Spinal injuries

If you are at any stage of filing for Social Security Disability benefits should contact our Birmingham disability lawyers today. We are experienced at handling disability claims and can help guide you through the appeals process. Call or e-mail us today for a free consultation.

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