Getting social security benefits by equaling a disability. A tallahassee social security disability lawyer explains. Social security financial support for blind or low vision. The social security blue book is the social security administrations ssa listing of disabling impairments. Mar 27, 2019 the social security administration ssa maintains a listing of medical impairments known as the blue book that automatically qualify you for social security disability insurance ssdi or supplemental security income ssi, provided certain conditions are met. Social securitys blue book contains hundreds of serious medical conditions that, if the stated criteria are met, will.
Obsolete versions of part a, the listing of impairments table of contents. On january 17, 2017, the ssa published the most recent version of the blue book on its website. Musculoskeletal system disabilities social security disability. The ssa uses the blue book, also called the listing of impairments, to evaluate medical conditions for the purpose of disability benefits. To equal a listing, you must show that your impairment is equivalent in both severity and duration to a disability listing for. The blue book s official title is disability evaluation under social security. How to use the blue book to get approved for disability. The symptoms of lyme can be considered disabling on their own. Examiners use the blue book to determine if an applicant meets the ssas definition of disabled. Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial supports, or a highly structured settings that is ongoing and that diminishes the symptoms and signs of your mental disorder see 12. What medical conditions qualify for social security disability or ssi. Why ssas blue book important for disability benefit claimants. How someone with chronic migraine can qualify for social. Disability evaluation under social security listing of impairments adult listings part a the following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults.
The following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the. Many of the disabilities listed in the blue book are either chronic, permanent andor fatal. There are numerous disabling medical conditions that are included in the blue book which are eligible for social security disability benefits through social. The social security administration ssa maintains a listing of medical impairments known as the blue book that automatically qualify you for social security disability insurance ssdi or supplemental security income ssi, provided certain conditions are met. Claimants whose condition and corresponding conditions are listed in the blue book will be automatically approved for ssdi or ssi, assuming they have met the nonmedical requirements to qualify for. These disorders are characterized by disturbances in eating behavior and preoccupation with, and excessive selfevaluation of, body weight and shape. According to the blue book, the ssa seeks both medical and non medical evidence when assessing the effects that your stroke has had on your ability to work and function in everyday life. Ineffective ambulation is defined generally as having insufficient lower extremity functioning. However, it does not guarantee that someone will be approved. Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial supports, or a highly structured settings.
Listing of impairments adult listings part a the following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults and younger children. Requests received in ssa from individuals for correction or amendment of records are routed as follows. For adults, we also consider past work experience, severity of medical conditions, age. The blue book, also referred to as the listing of impairments, contains various physical and mental conditions that might qualify an individual. The objective was to assess the social security administrations efforts to update the listing of impairments used to determine whether a. The social security administration has two methods for determining whether your condition is severe enough to win ssi or ssdi benefits. As a tallahassee social security disability lawyer, i make it a priority to keep up with the changes to the ssa blue book or listings. The blue book functions as a guide to determine if an applicant qualifies for disability benefits.
If your medical condition, or its equivalent, is on ssa s listing of impairments. How the blue book can help you with your stroke ssd claim. The ssa blue book is helpful in determining if you can qualify for disability payments because of your mental impairment. Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to, restriction of energy consumption when compared with individual requirements. The blue book also contains information evidentiary requirements and information about the ssi and ssdi. Compare providers that offer great quality at a fair price. These listings that may qualify individuals for supplemental security income ssi or social security disability insurance ssdi. The listing in the book will be helpful in determining if your condition meets the ssas criteria. Qualifying for disability benefits for a listed impairment. Readers of the blue book are assumed to be medical professionals like doctors, and the provided information is designed to help them understand more specifically what qualifications must be met to prove an individual is totally disabled. The blue book, also known as disability evaluation under social security, is the manual that the ssa uses to evaluate medical conditions to determine disability. However, many ssd claims are denied because of the social security administrations strict criteria for disabilities. This is true as long as you have medical proof of those symptoms. The social security administration ssa uses the blue book to determine whether someone has a disability that prevents them from working.
There is no ssa blue book listing for lyme disease. Social security disability benefits and lyme disease ilads. In 2008, sjogrens syndrome was officially added to the blue book under section 14. The objective was to assess the social security administrations efforts to update the listing of impairments used to determine whether a person is disabled. Medical criteria needed to qualify with sjogrens syndrome. The listings are just part of how we decide if someone is disabled.
If your medical condition, or its equivalent, is on ssas listing of impairments, then youre generally considered disabled and. How the social security blue book of impairments can. The blue book, also referred to as the listing of impairments, contains various physical and mental conditions that might qualify an individual for social security disability insurance ssdi benefits. What if my disability is not listed in the ssa blue book. What if my disability is not listed in the ssa blue book of impairments. Search for a medical procedure and find providers in your area. Musculoskeletal system disabilities social security. Heres what you need to know about whether your medical condition will qualify for disability and how to apply for benefits. I have 3 conditions where medi al records as well as dr completed rfc that meet criteria of blue book for osteonecrosis bone death dr stated i cant walk more than 50 feet without stopping, cant stand longer than 5 minutes, cant use public transportation alone, cant return to old job nor do any type of work. Healthcare bluebooks simple digital tool helps you navigate to the best care for you.
The blue books official title is disability evaluation under social security. If your symptoms do not meet any of the listings in the ssa blue book, you may be able to obtain a medical vocational allowance if your medical records and work history for the prior 15 years show that you are. The blue book was written for medical and disability professionals, so some listings. The blue book is the official list of impairments as compiled by the ssa. Qualifying for social security benefits with thyroid cancer. If your symptoms do not meet any of the listings in the ssa blue book, you may be able to obtain a medical vocational allowance if your medical records and work history for the prior 15 years show that you are unable to return to work, either in the position you held immediately prior to becoming disabled, or any position held in the prior 15 years, and. May 31, 2017 we can help you establish the presence and severity of your condition to the ssa. The ssa blue book, which is the medical guide used for disability determination, has multiple listings pertaining to blindness or low vision. If a person has a disability and it is listed in the blue book, it simplifies their application process when they provide the medical documentation needed for approval. I should also mention the ssa medical listing of impairments is also called the blue book. The criteria in the listing of impairments are applicable to evaluation of claims for disability benefits under the social security disability insurance program or payments under the ssi program. The social securitys blue book includes listings for a variety of mental illnesses. Ssa blue book archives social security disability advocates. Part a of the listing of impairments contains medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over.
You will need to prove that your condition is of equal severity to one listed in the blue book. Jul 10, 2018 the ssa uses its own medical guide, known as the blue book, to determine whether or not an applicant will qualify for disability benefits. According to the blue book, the ssa seeks both medical and nonmedical evidence when assessing the effects that your stroke has had on your ability to work and function in everyday life. The blue book is a list of impairments with detailed requirements for when the ssa should judge a medical condition to be disabling. The social security blue book listing of impairments alllaw. May 22, 2017 the first step is proving that your medical condition is severe enough to satisfy the social security administration ssa. How social security considers multiple impairments when. The blue book outlines exactly what test results or medical evidence youll need to be approved. The ssas blue book is a list of all qualifying conditions for social security. How the social security blue book of impairments can affect. On april 10th i have a video teleconference exam with a doctor at the social security administration building what am i to expect from that. Social security disability listings blue book medical. Book, has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health. Medical evidence provided should include a full medical history, including examination findings.
It explains how each program works, and the kinds of information a health. If youre not earning sga and social security finds you have a severe combination of impairments, your case moves to step three, where ssa decides whether your condition meets the requirements of a listing in the blue book. Learn how to use ssas blue book for rapid approvals. With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits. Disability evaluation under social security listing of impairments adult listings part a. Blue book september 2008 this edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. If your impairments are similar to a listing in the social security blue book, but they dont meet all of the requirements in the listing, you may be able to receive benefits if your impairment can equal the listing. The first step is proving that your medical condition is severe enough to satisfy the social security administration ssa. Social security disability benefits for hearing loss. The blue book lists specific criteria that under which claimants who suffer from a disabling condition can qualify for social security disability. I then took all my doctor notes and medical documentation and highlighted anything in it that documents the.
The social security disability blue book of impairments. With the assistance of several physicians and medical experts, the social security administration developed the blue book. What if my medical condition is not in the blue book. Claimant has to be totally disabled as defined and set forth by the ssa. The ssa created a medical guide called the blue book to help standardize the way in which disability benefits are doled out. Meeting a social security disability listing is a fast and direct way to win ssdi or ssi benefits. The ssa will require medical records including laboratory findings. It covers a lot of the recommended medical evidence, as well, and it can be extremely helpful. What medical conditions qualify for social security. This book establishes medical and evidentiary standards that conditions must meet to be considered disabling.
How the blue book can help with spinal stenosis ssd claim. The social security blue book listing of impairments. Both of these programs provide regular payments to people who are unable to work, and the social security administrationin cooperation. Jul 10, 2017 the individual will also have to show that he or she suffers from episodes of decompensation, or situations where the persons mental state deteriorates and his or her ability to function is negatively affected. If you are applying for disability benefits with the social security administration ssa, you may qualify on the basis of medical evidence alone if you are not working and you have an impairment that is as medically severe as an impairment listed in the ssa s listing of impairments also known as the blue book. Listing of impairments adult listings part a social security. You will need to provide medical documentation like a diagnosis, treatment plans, test results, medical bills, and other documents to prove that you cannot work because of your medical condition. Qualifying for disability benefits for a listed impairment nolo. To be approved with hearing loss, your hearing ability must meet eligibility criteria outlined in the blue book. The social security administrations listing of impairments. Obsolete versions of part a, the listing of impairments ssa.
The blue book separates impairments into different categories and lists the specifications. The blue book s official title is disability evaluation under social security, and it contains a wealth of information about disabling impairments and the ssa s criteria to help those applying for benefits. The blue book offers an important guide to ssa examiners methods for evaluating disability applications. Disability evaluation under social security has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health professionals with an understanding of the disability programs administered by the social security administration. Information about hearing loss eligibility can be found in section 2. The individual will also have to show that he or she suffers from episodes of decompensation, or situations where the persons mental state deteriorates and his or her ability to function is negatively affected. When evaluating disability, the ssa uses disability evaluation under social security, or the blue book.
How the blue book can help you with your social security claim. The ssa blue book is comprised of the most common medical conditions and their symptoms which are so severe they will keep a claimant from working. An illness or disease does not need to be listed in social securitys blue book to qualify for disability benefits. This medical guide serves as a reference for administrators in determining what conditions qualify as disabilities and what specific criteria and symptoms are needed to be approved. Under this listing, there are three ways to qualify. This edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. Healthcare bluebooks simple digital tool helps you navigate to the best. Ssa has established a list of impairments known as the blue book or disability evaluation under social security. When its tough to know the true cost and quality of care, you could be overpaying and putting your health at risk. What are the blue book requirements for degenerative joint disease.
The social security administrations ssa blue book lists the medical impairments that qualify for social security disability insurance ssdi and supplemental security income ssi. To medically qualify for disability benefits under a lyme disease diagnosis, you will need to meet the blue book for another condition that is listed. Please note and not many people realize this that you do not necessarily need to meet the exact. Despite the fact that lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the country, reaching epidemic proportions in the united states with cases by far outnumbering those of aids, west nile virus, swine and avian flu combined, you refuse to recognize lyme disease in your official list of impairments known hereafter as blue book. Fortunately, in some cases, social security disability benefits can help alleviate. Social security disability list of impairments disabilitysecrets. Inability to ambulate effectively means an extreme limitation of the ability to walk. Keep in mind i do my best to keep these up to date and accurate but these listings change and you should always check the ssa website for possible updates to the listed impairments. Can i get disability for degenerative joint disease. The social security blue book is an essential reference for people who are trying to qualify for benefits under the social security disability insurance ssdi or supplemental security income ssi programs.
The blue book is split into childhood and adult disabilities, or impairments, and includes requirements, basic information and an impairment listing overview. If the ssa says your impairments are equally as severe as those in the blue book listings, assuming you meet all other requirements, you will be granted ssdi benefits. The blue books official title is disability evaluation under social security, and it contains a wealth of information about disabling impairments and the ssas criteria to help those applying for benefits. Recent changes to the listings of impairments for ssi and. Learn how to use ssa s blue book for rapid approvals. When is a person considered disabled by social security. If your condition is not listed in the blue book, you may still qualify for disability benefits. If you are applying for disability benefits with the social security administration ssa, you may qualify on the basis of medical evidence alone if you are not working and you have an impairment that is as medically severe as an impairment listed in the ssas listing of. Here are the two ways you can qualify for disability benefits through the blue book listing if you are blind. The social security administration ssa uses the blue book to determine. Using the ssa blue book to determine disability chicago. For professional assistance in determining your eligibility, contact social security disability advocates usa for a free. The blue book lists out what medical evidence you need in order to support your claim for social security benefits. How can i obtain a copy of the social security blue book.
1262 107 362 1111 1348 343 615 962 697 625 510 1484 1420 1322 1096 1379 662 1265 731 1216 1525 1632 1001 866 28 364 844 1300 456 970 1175 802 66 176