Paralysis and SSDI Benefits

Benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program are paid to recipients with a wide range of disabling medical conditions. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which administers SSDI benefits, uses a “Blue Book” that identifies various categories of impairment that can qualify a person for SSDI benefits based on the disability requirement. To be eligible for SSDI payments, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last for 12 months or longer or to result in death, and the condition must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (i.e., employment).

Whether or not a particular condition qualifies can depend on the severity of the condition. In other words, for some people, the condition may be severe enough that it does meet the SSA’s definition of a disability, but for others the condition may present in a less severe manner. There are different forms and types of paralysis. How does the SSA classify paralysis? There is no specific listing for it in the Blue Book, but there are different types of injuries or neurological conditions that may cause paralysis. Most of these conditions fall under Section 11.00 of the Blue Book, or neurological disorders.

Types of Medical Conditions That May Result in Paralysis 

Under Section 11.00 of the Blue Book, there are multiple medical conditions that may result in paralysis that is severe enough to qualify as a disability for SSDI purposes. Some of those conditions include:

• Spinal cord disorders;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and
• Traumatic brain injury.

Whether or not the condition qualifies an individual person for SSDI benefits will depend on its severity, and the stage of the disorder (in the case of a condition like multiple sclerosis or ALS).

Other medical conditions or injuries that may also cause paralysis and qualify a person for SSDI benefits include but are not limited to:

• Spinal cord injuries;
• Certain cancers;
• Stroke; and
• Periodic paralysis and other genetic disorders.

How to Determine if Your Condition Qualifies You for SSDI Benefits 

If you have any medical condition or injury that causes or has caused paralysis, the best way to determine if you are eligible for SSDI benefits based on the medical requirement is to seek advice from a disability benefits lawyer and from your health care provider. You will need to provide medical evidence of the severity of the condition. Often, disorders that cause paralysis do qualify the patient for SSDI benefits, as do severe injuries that have resulted in permanent paralysis.

Contact a National Disability Benefits Attorney Today 

Do you have a condition or did you suffer an injury that has resulted in permanent paralysis? Or, do you have a condition that results in periodic paralysis? If so, it may be possible to obtain SSDI benefits. One of the experienced national SSDI benefits lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can talk with you today to learn more about your medical circumstances and how they affect your ability to work. Once we can help you to determine whether you are likely to meet the definition of a disability used by the SSA in making SSDI determinations, we can help you with your SSDI application. Do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about how we can assist you.

Source:

ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/11.00-Neurological-Adult.htm