Covered Disabilities under Social Security Disability Benefits

     Social Security Disability benefits are reserved generally for workers with a physical or mental condition who are unable to perform full time work for at least 12 months. As for those who have never worked or not worked very much, for those who have never worked, or worked very little, Supplemental Security Income disability is available from Social Security under the same definition of disability, i.e., unable to perform full time work for 12 months.

     We spoke in past posts about the definitions of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The laws that govern Social Security Disability have their own definitions of disability. Social Security Disability law defines a covered disability as an “inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to certain medically determinable physical or mental impairments which can be expected to result in death or which have lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.” To collect benefits under the Social Security Disability program, you must meet certain requirements.

     Social Security Disability laws list covered physical and mental disabilities. The physical disabilities include:

           

     Asthma

     Diabetes

     Herniated disks

     Other lumbar and cervical (back and neck) problems

      In addition, disabilities include:

     Arthritis

     Heart problems

     Spine problems

     Fibromyalgia

     Sleep apnea

     AIDS

     Cancer

     Hepatitis

     Cirrhosis and other liver conditions

     Brain injuries

     Cerebral palsy

     Lupus

     Repetitive stress disorders

     Hearing loss

      Mental disabilities included psychiatric disabilities, including but not limited to:

     Anxiety

     Agoraphobia

     Panic attacks

     Depression

     Schizophrenia

     Bipolar disorders

     Mental retardation

     Evaluation of claims

    There is also a Listing of Impairments applicable to an evaluation of claims for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability insurance program. The Listing of Impairments describes, for each major body system, impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from engaging in any gainful activity. Part A of the Listing of Impairments contains medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults who are age 18 and over. Part B of the Listing of Impairments contains additional medical criteria that apply only to the evaluation of impairments of persons under age 18.

    Sound confusing? It can be. Much like navigating the law of the ADA, navigating Social Security Disability law can be trying and exhausting.