Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a long and difficult process. In order to qualify, you must have a condition or illness which inhibits your ability to work and take part in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
When filing for Social Security Disability (SSD), you must provide proof of your disability, and proof that it prevents you from earning a living wage, to the Social Security Administration (SSA). To support your claim, you must provide documentation which typically includes a history of medical evaluations, as well as any other evidence the SSA requests.
The SSA will either approve or deny a claim based on the information provided by the claimant. The SSA references what is known as the Blue Book to determine if someone qualifies for disability benefits. The Blue Book lists a number of disabilities and conditions that prevent people from working, and thereby prevents them from earning a living wage.
The third category in the Blue Book is the Respiratory Disorders category. It is broken down into several subcategories, including the following:
- Asthma
- Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency (CPI)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Lung Transplant
- Chronic Lung Infections
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
- Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
- Sarcoidosis
Qualifying for SSDI with a Respiratory Disability
To file a SSDI claim with the Social Security Administration, medical records, proof of treatment(s), and other documentation will need to be provided. Hiring an experienced Social Security Disability attorney in Oakland will make the process easier, and will also increase the chances your claim will be approved.
Certain conditions listed in the Blue Book may be further specified if a claimant is suffering from debilitating symptoms of that condition. For example, if a claimant is suffering from asthma and has been medically monitored for the condition for at least one year, are receiving medical treatment, and still need medical intervention for asthma attacks at least once every two months, or suffer from six or more asthma attacks a year, they will be considered fully disabled.
When a person files a claim under Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency (CPI), they typically need to undergo several medical tests to prove their condition inhibits their ability to work. The SSA may order tests even if they have already been completed at an earlier date.
If a claimant is undergoing treatment(s) for their condition, they must continue said treatment to have their claim approved. Stopping medical treatment during the filing process, or after having a claim approved, will result in a claim being denied or revocation of benefits.
The SSA will also take into account how long a claimant has been diagnosed, available treatment options, how long the claimant’s condition is expected to last, and past responses to previously administered treatments.
Social Security Disability Lawyer in Oakland, CA
If you are trying to file for Social Security Disability benefits in California, but aren’t certain how to start or what is required, relying on a Social Security lawyer in Oakland can help simplify the process.
Ortega Disability Group is an experienced team of Oakland Social Security Disability lawyers. We have helped thousands of people get the benefits they need and deserve from the Social Security Administration. Contact us today for a free consultation.
