Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability? You can’t work and you have nowhere else to turn; you need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Since you know you can’t work, you should automatically get the benefits, right? Not so fast.
According to the 2015 Annual Statistical Report on the social security disability insurance program, 61 percent of those that filed for benefits were turned down. What went wrong? Very few applicants, around 23 percent on average, are accepted the first time they apply. So how do you qualify for social security disability? The SSA and DDS have a book that lists the approval criteria for certain impairments, nicknamed the “Blue Book”. This a good launching pad to start researching if you qualify. In the book, it lists the adult physical and mental impairments that qualify for benefits. It has information for children as well. If your impairment is on the list, you can continue on to the next step. If not, you can apply for a Medical-Vocational Allowance. The Medical-Vocational allowance is a way most individuals get social security benefits. The DDS, Disability Determination Specialists, decides your condition does not match any in the “Blue Book” listings of impairments, they will request a DDS medical consultant (doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist) to perform an RFC ( Residual Functional Capacity), to assess your claim. The consultant looks at your medical records, doctor’s notes and any lab work or clinical tests to determine if you have any functional limitations that keep you from holding a job. The medical consultant will then determine your residual functional capacity using an RFC fom. If the DDS determines you can’t go back to your old job (say you worked in a warehouse lifting 50
pounds regularly) they will then determine if you can do lighter work (light or sedentary). Your RFC will be written with their determination. Using your RFC, the DDS will look back 15 years at all the jobs you held. If the DDS determines you can’t go back to any of your old jobs (say you worked in a warehouse lifting 50 pounds regularly), the claims examiner will look to see whether, given your RFC, along with your age, education, and skills, there is any less demanding work you can do or easily learn to do. But there are some cases where they can’t make you go back to work, depending on your age. Navigating through the maze of applying for Social Security Disability benefits takes time and a lot of effort. You can apply for yourself using this link. You can also hire a knowledgeable attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability claims. They will take you step by step through the process, helping you avoid costly mistakes that could get you denied. Either way, give yourself time and be patient with the process. If you have any questions about the Social Security Disability process you can contact us.