Medical Disabilities

Lawyers for Chicago Residents Seeking SSDI Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal benefits programs that offer cash payments to people who aren’t able to work. SSDI gives monthly income workers who are disabled. SSI provides monthly income to those who disabled or blind, among other things, and have restricted income and assets. If you have a medical disability, you may wish to file for benefits. Many valid disability claims are initially denied. It’s wise to retain a skillful Chicago Social Security attorney to handle your claim.

Medical Disabilities

You may be eligible for SSDI or SSI if you develop a medical disability. These benefits are intended to be for adults who become disabled and aren’t able to perform work for a minimum of a year. Certain family members may also be eligible, such as your spouse if your spouse is taking care of a child who is under age 16 or disabled. You must have paid enough into the Social Security system and not have gotten to retirement age in order to be eligible for benefits.

There are medical conditions that are likely to be considered disabling, like Stage 4 or advanced cancer, congestive heart failure, or late stage kidney disease. Often chronic illnesses that turn acute over time or residual conditions that become disabling also count as medical disabilities for which you can obtain SSDI or SSI benefits. For example, certain autoimmune diseases can become disabling.

Medically Determinable

Whatever medical disability stops you from working must be discoverable and described by doctors. In order to establish your medically determinable condition, you should be able to bring statements and records from doctors or clinics describing the medical condition that stops you from working. The documentation should describe your condition and describe how you’re restricted and how that affects your ability to work. The documentation needs to specify that the medical disability is expected to last for 12 months or lead to your death.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a blue book that lists many different physical and mental impairments that automatically qualify you for SSDI or SSI so long as your particular condition meets the criteria for the listing. It includes cardiovascular conditions, sense and speech issues like vision loss, musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders, respiratory illnesses, mental disorders like schizophrenia, immune system disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, syndromes like Marfan Syndrome, skin disorders, kidney disease, digestive tract problems, cancer, and hematological disorders. In order to be medically determinable, a medical disability must be supported by evidence. If you have chronic pain but no accepted diagnosis, you are unlikely to be able to get SSDI.

You don’t need to meet all the listing requirements for a medical condition in order to get disability benefits, however. If the SSA finds aspects of your medical disability equivalent to the criteria or a related listing, you can receive benefits. Further, you may be able to get benefits even if you don’t meet the criteria if your medical condition limits your functioning so severely that you can’t work. The SSA will consider the impact of your condition on your ability to do daily activities and work, and will decide whether there is any job you could do safely.

Procedure for Claims

If you apply for SSDI or SSI for your medical disability in Illinois, you will get a written decision in a few months. Less than half of those who apply for disability in the state are approved for benefits without an appeal. However, you can appeal the denial of benefits, and a seasoned Social Security lawyer can help.

Consult a Skillful SSDI Attorney in Chicago

If you have a medical disability in Chicago, you it is advisable to consult with an experienced SSDI lawyer once you realize you can no longer work. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we represent those with medical disabilities in Rockford, Quincy, Champaign, and Aurora, as well as Winnebago, Adams, Kane, Sangamon, and Cook Counties. Contact us at 312-724-5846, or by completing our online form.