Given how rigorous the process is to successfully collect disability payments, it’s fair to wonder, “what conditions automatically qualify you for disability benefits?” After all, you need assistance fast, and the quicker you get it, the better.
Sadly, no single condition or ailment leads to automatic qualification to collect disability benefits. All potential candidates for such assistance must have their circumstances reviewed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
There is some clarity on this issue, as the SSA provides a “Blue Book” that lists reviewable conditions if you’re applying for disability benefits, such as:
- Chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory disorders
- Skeletal spine injuries, joint injuries, and other musculoskeletal disorders
- Blindness, visual disorders, and other special sense/speech issues
- Liver dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive system disorders
- Chronic heart failure and other cardiovascular disorders
- Illnesses revolving around the genital or urinary organs and other genitourinary disorders
- Blood/blood/forming organ-based illnesses (i.e., hematological disorders)
- Chronic skin infections, dermatitis, and other skin disorders
- Pituitary gland illnesses, thyroid gland illnesses, and related endocrine disorders
- Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses
- Benign brain tumors, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders
- Congenital issues impacting various systems in the body
- Malignant neoplastic diseases and other forms of cancer
- Inflammatory arthritis, lupus, HIV infection, and other immune system disorders
These conditions can all be found in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments – Adult Listings (Part A). They apply to all people who are 18 plus years of age. Some disabilities may not be on the list for instance is ADHD a Disability? There are numerous questions we can answer whether or not this will hinder you from getting the disability benefits you deserve.
Conditions in these categories are classified by the SSA as severe due to the limitations they cause in a person’s daily functioning.
Are you or a family member dealing with a disability preventing you from earning income and living your day-to-day life? Then you might meet the requirements to collect Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
Do you intend to apply for SSD benefits? Streamline the process by having BenefitsClaim.com evaluate your case for free to see if you’ll qualify!
Is Your Impairment On The SSA's List? If Not, Don't Worry-It Doesn't Need To Be
So, you now know the answer to “what conditions automatically qualify you for disability?” It’s none of them.
The Blue Book lets you know what conditions give you the best chance to collect disability income from the SSA–but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Namely, the SSA doesn’t need your impairment to be on its list to approve your application. Carpal tunnel syndrome and celiac disease are examples of conditions that aren’t listed but are viable in the SSA’s eyes.
When trying to collect disability with an unlisted condition, you must provide a formal diagnosis to the SSA proving that the problem is a “medically determinable impairment.” Moreover, this diagnosis must show that you can’t function at your full capacity.
In other words, the condition must stop you from performing daily activities and working–a reduction referred to as “residual functional capacity.”
Your condition might be considered by the SSA as equivalent to one of its listed impairments if it ticks the necessary boxes. Note that receiving your doctor’s diagnosis of your disability is only the beginning of your SSD journey–you won’t be automatically approved.
Whether Listed Or Unlisted, Your Condition Must Be Severe Enough To Collect SSD Payments
Listed and unlisted impairments have one specific thing in common in the eyes of the SSA. Their medical documentation alone isn’t enough to qualify for SSD payments.
Is your condition listed? If so, your medical records and diagnosis must adhere to SSA’s requirements for the given impairment. Any medical proof you give to the SSA must match your signs, symptoms, and other impairment criteria.
You can present medical evidence if your condition doesn’t meet the listed condition requirements, and the SSA can review it. From there, they’ll decide if your impairment is severe enough to meet the standards to receive benefits.
Further Medical Conditions That Might Entitle You To SSD Payments
While there are conditions listed by the SSA in their Blue Book, each applicant for disability benefits has unique circumstances that could lead to receiving payments.
Thus, it’s essential to know some more specific SSA-listed medical issues that fall under its broader categories, such as:
- Connective tissue disorders
- Cerebral Palsy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Liver disease
- Epilepsy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Depressive disorder
The above conditions are only a fraction of the SSA’s many listed impairments required to qualify for disability benefits through one or several federal programs.
You might also need to provide more context to help the SSA determine eligibility and how many benefits you’ll receive if eligible.
Again though, if you want to know what conditions automatically qualify you for disability, the answer is none.
Successfully Applying For Disability Benefits Isn't Easy
Initial applications to collect disability benefits are frequently denied by the SSA for any number of reasons, such as:
- Medical information that’s led to a disqualification
- Technical issues with the application
Additionally, while not likely, SSDI or SSI application errors can happen.
For further context, there’s only a 22% acceptance rate for initial applications and a 63% denial rate for SSDI applications. Applying for disability benefits is not exactly an a-to-b process for the majority of applicants.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go through this process alone–you can work with a third party as your guide.
Work With An Expert To Guide You Through The Process
At BenefitsClaim.com, we leave no stone unturned in supporting Americans in filing and receiving financial assistance from the government–this includes disability benefits throughout all 50 states.
We’re here to help you get the benefits you deserve. Get a case evaluation for free. Just click here and fill out our 1-minute form to see how much you could receive!
