Many people are under the misconception only the elderly and widowed receive Woodstock Social Security benefits. In actuality, thousands of others receive Social Security benefits for disability reasons; health reasons which prevent them from working a traditional job. These individuals must earn less than $1,040 each month due to a severe medical condition. While most people seek benefits for the monthly income, in addition to this when they qualify, they’ll also automatically become eligible for Medicaid, with Medicare benefits coming after two years of receiving SSDI. So, the common question becomes, what conditions lead a person to apply for benefits?
MENTAL ILLNESS
While more difficult to successfully file claims for, in theory, an individual with mental illness who is unable to work because of it should be able to collect disability benefits. Mental illness can be a subjective condition, as those in charge of approving and denying are hardly licenced psychiatrists. In most cases, those who determine whether a person is approved or not do not fully understand the scope of the illnesses and the effect it has on a person’s ability to work. According to the Blue Book of approved illnesses for which a person suffering from these conditions would inherently be unable to work, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders, mental retardation, and autism will all qualify a person for disability. However, the degree in which a person’s symptoms prevent their working also comes into play. By speaking with a Woodstock Social Security benefits attorney, a person can improve their chances of being approved the first time around.
PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS
Many physical problems can lead a person to file for disability. Among some of the most common are:
- Back Injuries, including degenerative disc conditions and bulging discs
- Heart disease and cardiovascular problems
- Anemia
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
As with all conditions, the severity and limitations placed on a person’s ability to work play into whether or not the application will be approved for benefits. Social Security examiners will analyze a person’s past jobs over the last 15 years, deciding if the condition would prevent them from working in one of the fields in which they have experience.
