If you’ve ever purchased a vehicle in Illinois, you may have heard of the Kelley Blue Book. This is a system that car dealers use to provide valuation and pricing information about the cars they sell. Similarly, there is a “Social Security Blue Book,” which contains information regarding medical conditions that automatically qualify you to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
You can access the Social Security Blue Book online. You’ll want to be aware that an automatic qualification for SSDI doesn’t necessarily mean you will receive benefits. There are additional eligibility requirements besides the exact injury or health condition preventing you from being able to work that you must meet in order to collect benefits.
Impairments in the Social Security Blue Book are separated into categories
There are various categories of information in the Social Security Blue Book. If you’re an adult (age 18 or older) who has suffered an injury or illness that has left you permanently unable to work, you can find a list of medical conditions that Social Security examiners consider automatic qualification for SSDI benefits in Part A of the online compendium.
Various blood disorders, skin conditions, congenital health issues and neurological disorders are in Part A of the Social Security Blue Book. If you have cancer, a problem with your speech, vision or hearing, or a musculoskeletal issue, such as a spinal injury, chronic joint pain or an amputated limb, these issues are also in the same section of the book.
Each case is examined by its own merit
While Social Security examiners use the Social Security Blue Book and other resources as guidelines to determine eligibility for SSDI benefits, if you submit a claim, your case is under review by its own merits. This means that the available resources are guidelines, yet not solely definitive, because it is possible that you might collect benefits, even if your specific injury or condition isn’t in the book.
Filing an appeal if examiners deny your SSDI claim
A large percentage of SSDI claims receive denial in the initial application process. It’s always best to try to remain calm if this happens to you. Remember that it is not uncommon, and there are steps you can take to appeal the decision. Reasons for denial often include incomplete paperwork or forms not properly filled out.
If you haven’t provided sufficient evidence that proves total disability or inability to work, your claim runs the risk of denial. This doesn’t mean, however, that you don’t have a total disability or inability to work — only, perhaps, that you didn’t include the information needed to prove that you do, which is why it’s helpful to enlist the aid of someone who is well-versed in SSDI benefits issues before submitting your initial application.
