Some people maintain good health until they are old enough to retire. Others develop major medical issues or incur injuries that affect their careers. When health challenges leave someone unable to work, they may require disability benefits.
Not everyone has private disability insurance coverage available, but many adults who have worked may qualify for federal disability benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available across the country to those who have made adequate tax contributions during their professional careers.
Applicants can potentially receive monthly SSDI benefits to help cover their cost-of-living expenses until they reach retirement age. Sometimes, people who might qualify for SSDI benefits feel uncertain about applying. They might have a rare medical condition or disabling symptoms but no diagnosis. Does an applicant need to have a specific medical condition to qualify for SSDI benefits?
Many different conditions can qualify for SSDI benefits
Contrary to what people sometimes think, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can approve benefit applications for a range of different medical conditions. The application process focuses on the details of the situation, not just the diagnosis. The same condition can be vastly different for two different patients.
The SSA does provide a non-exhaustive list of potentially qualifying ailments. People with certain types of medical conditions may feel more confident about applying for SSDI after reviewing the list. Conditions ranging from neurological disorders to different types of cancer are on that list. In some cases, more extreme medical conditions might lead to fast-track approval or a compassionate allowance.
Applicants do not need a specific diagnosis to qualify. Each category of the list of disabling conditions also includes generic language referring to disabilities affecting different bodily systems. So long as someone’s symptoms are severe enough to prevent them from working, they may potentially be eligible. Applicants also do not necessarily need medical paperwork with a specific diagnosis. What they require is adequate evidence that their condition prevents them from working. More information about symptoms and how a condition affects someone’s life can put them in a better position when applying for SSDI benefits.
Those with disabling medical challenges often need assistance when determining whether they have a qualifying condition. Getting help with an SSDI application may increase someone’s chances of success and help them feel more confident about their eligibility for benefits.
