Matthew T. Berry Social Security Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Social Security Disability (SSD) is a national program that provides benefits to individuals who have paid into the system and then suffer a long-term or permanent illness or disability that prevents them from continuing to earn a living.

In addition to stipulating past work history and other requirements needed to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a detailed Listing of Impairments for Adults and another for Children that indicates the types of impairments considered for benefits based on the afflicted area of the body or the type of impairment.

Definitions of conditions that qualify for SSD

Children may qualify as disabled even if their condition is on the listing for adults, but Social Security law provides different definitions for each:

§  Adults are defined as disabled when they are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to physical or mental impairment that can be identified through medically-acceptable clinical and diagnostic techniques and  proven beyond a list of symptoms experienced by the individual.  The impairment must last (or be expected to last) for at least 12 months, or it can be expected to result in death.

§  Children are defined as disabled when they have physical or mental impairments that severely limit function.  These impairments must last (or be expected to last) for at least 12 months, or they can be expected to result in death.  The requirements for proof of impairment are the same as for adults.

Examples of qualifying disabilities

Just a few of the many qualifying conditions for adults are as follows:

§  Musculoskeletal system conditions, such as those that limit the ability to move or walk

§  Special senses and speech impairments that may be caused by a brain disorder or a defect directly related to the impaired organ

§  Impairments affecting multiple body systems, such as would be the case for non-mosaic Down syndrome

§  Mental disorders, such as the psychological or behavioral abnormalities associated with a brain dysfunction or a chemical imbalance.

The listing of qualifying conditions for children has many similarities to the adult list, although the legal definitions may be modified to focus specifically on individuals under 18 years of age.  Additional conditions that are specific to children include the following:

§  Growth impairment, which can be disabling in itself, but may also indicate the result of a specific disease

§  Skin disorders that greatly affect quality of life such as those that cause to severe pain, photosensitivity, scarring, or affect other body systems

How a disability attorney can help

An attorney with specialized skills in disability law can often interpret the detailed SSA definitions for disability to help clients determine if they qualify and the documentation that is needed to prove their cases when applying for Social Security disability benefits. Disability lawyers in Georgia at Berry & Associates provide skilled support throughout the application and appeals process for disability claims. We offer a wide range of services and keep you informed, helping you make sound decisions along the way.

Berry & Associates
2751 Buford Highway NE, Suite 400,
Atlanta, GA 30324
(866) 986-9015