The Social Security Administration has what we commonly refer to as ”The Blue Book.” If you have suffered an injury or illness that has left you unable to work, your condition is likely on the list in it. The Blue Book contains a compiled list of common medical conditions that merit eligibility for those affected to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Your first thought might be, ”What if I have a medical condition that is not listed in The Blue Book, but I am still unable to work and need SSDI benefits?” Such a condition would not necessarily prohibit eligibility. You would simply need to demonstrate that your condition is as severe as those listed in The Blue Book and that it meets the government’s official definition for a disability.
Eligible conditions cover a wide range of health issues
If you were involved in an automobile collision that resulted in paralysis, your condition would undoubtedly fall under the musculoskeletal category of conditions in The Blue Book. However, there are many conditions that are not as obvious or apparent that can prevent you from being able to sustain gainful employment.
For instance, there is a category in The Blue Book for mental health problems. Such issues might include schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or intellectual disabilities, anxiety disorders and more. You might also be eligible for SSDI benefits if you have cancer or a digestive problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
SSDI applications are often denied upon initial request
It wouldn’t be uncommon for you to encounter challenges when submitting an application. Many SSDI claims face denial in the initial application phase. This can be frustrating and upsetting, especially when you are already dealing with health problems and do not have wages coming in to provide for your financial needs.
If this were to happen to you, you would want to learn more about the appeals process. Any number of issues might prompt a claim denial, such as failure to demonstrate disability or even a clerical error on your application, such as failing to include required information. It’s helpful to ask someone who is well-versed in the SSDI application process to carefully review your claim and to assist you in filing an appeal.
Do not file a new application if the SSA denies your claim
One of the most common mistakes people make when the SSA denies a claim is to file a new application rather than navigating the appeals process. The reason this is a mistake is because the SSA will automatically deny any claim that incurred a prior denial.
When you file an appeal, you are asking the SSA to change its decision regarding your application. You are not filing a new application. If you fail to initiate an appeal and submit a new application, instead, you can expect your second application to receive a denial, as well. However, the good news is that many claims that faced an initially denial receive an approval upon appeal.
