How Pennsylvania Residents Know if Their Condition is “Disabling Enough” for Social Security Purposes
While receiving disability benefits can greatly improve the lives of Pennsylvania individuals who are unable to work, applying for these federal benefits can be a challenge. Understanding the necessary documentation and requirements can help the process of securing benefits. Pennsylvania Social Security Disability lawyers can provide guidance through the application steps and help individuals understand whether they qualify for benefits.
First, when determining disability qualifications, it can be helpful to rely on the Blue Book, which is a publication entitled Disability Evaluation under Social Security. This book gives detailed descriptions of conditions and disabilities that qualify individuals for benefits. It contains an overview of Social Security programs and explains the requirements of both Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Additionally, the Blue Book lists acceptable sources of medical information and makes clear that medical evidence from professional health care workers is likely considered the most accurate. As the final section of the Blue Book, the listing of impairments includes disease groups, further broken into sub-points.
To navigate the Blue Book, it is important to refer to the section that corresponds to the appropriate bodily disorder. An example would be kidney disease, which falls under Section 6.00. Subsections of this “Genitourinary Disorder” section include subsections dealing with various forms of kidney disease. For instance, if you have had a kidney transplant, for the following year after surgery, individuals may qualify for benefits under section 6.04.
The Blue Book is helpful to those applying for disability benefits, but it can prove challenging for people unfamiliar with medical terminology or certain tests to understand what they need in order to support their claim for benefits. A physician can often clarify diagnoses and point out the similarities within the Blue Book.
When a disorder is not represented in the Blue Book, individuals may still qualify for benefits. Those applying for Social Security benefits may seek the advice of medical professionals, who can help to ascertain whether symptoms qualify the individual under a separate, similar listing, or if a disorder may be severe enough to qualify as an exception.
In preparing an application for Social Security benefits, it is wise to have all of the medical history and paperwork in one place. This means that all CT scans, MRIs, general medical check-up history, and medical tests are provided to the Social Security Administration. Also, financial documentation, which includes tax history and other logistics, must be included in an application for benefits.
A Social Security Disability attorney can help present a strong claim for benefits. Disability applications can prove overwhelming for some individuals, particularly when they are struggling with their disorder while trying to complete an application. At Needle Law, our Social Security Disability lawyers are familiar with the Blue Book, and we are prepared to set forth a strong claim for benefits. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (570) 344-1266.
