5 Common Health Conditions That Qualify for SSI Benefits

  Mar 18, 2024

Have you ever wondered if you could become one of the 7.5 million Americans who receive SSI payments? Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), SSI is a federal program funded by U.S. Treasury general funds. 

If you’re wondering if you’re eligible or not. So, for SSI eligibility purposes, a medically determinable person who has physical or mental impairment and is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity is considered eligible for SSI.

Besides, people need to have certain health conditions to get SSI. They also need to prove to the government that their symptoms are debilitating.

The one who qualifies for this program receives a maximum monthly SSI benefit amount of $943. Concerning couples, they may qualify for a maximum monthly SSI payment of $1,415.

Which wellness conditions could qualify for SSI? Read on for our complete SSI guide.

Fibromyalgia

This chronic disorder causes widespread pain and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and joints. Although, scientists do not fully understand what causes it. However, it is seen that people struggling with fibromyalgia have a heightened sensitivity to pain.

People with fibromyalgia tend to experience the following:

  • Tiredness
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Cognitive issues
  • Widespread pain throughout the body.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can vary in intensity, which makes it difficult for sufferers to maintain regular employment.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Tenderness to touch.
  • Trouble in concentrating, thinking clearly, and memory.
  • Digestive issues, like bloating or constipation.
  • Muscle and joint stiffness.

Meeting the criteria for SSI benefits for fibromyalgia requires extensive medical documentation. This includes evidence of widespread pain and its impact on everyday functioning. 

Mental Health Disorders

A mental disorder can be defined as a disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. There are plenty of mental wellness medical conditions that can affect a person’s ability to work. 

Interesting Fact:
According to a study, 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder.

Simply put, it is usually associated with distress or impairment in significant areas of functioning. 

This could include the following:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Eating Disorders

These mental health issues may interfere with concentration, decision-making, and social interactions. 

This makes it difficult to sustain employment. To qualify for SSI benefits, people must show how their mental health conditions limit their capacity to work.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

It is connected to the functioning of the locomotor system. What is the locomotor system? Typically, it consists of intact muscles, bones, joints, and adjacent connective tissues. To your knowledge, musculoskeletal impairments comprise more than 150 different diseases/conditions.

musculoskeletal Regions

Statistics:
The stats above demonstrate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in different regions of the body. However, the neck, shoulder, and lower back are the most affected regions by musculoskeletal disorders.

Some types of disabilities are musculoskeletal. Arthritis, back injuries, and other conditions can cause chronic pain and mobility limitations. These ailments may result from the following:

  • Injuries
  • Degenerative diseases
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Surgery

People with musculoskeletal disorders may struggle with performing physical tasks needed for many jobs. 

To qualify for SSI benefits, medical evidence must show the severity of the impairment and its impact on functional abilities. Musculoskeletal disabilities make up a high percentage of SSI disability claims.

Neurological Disorders

Causes of Neurological Disorders

Medically, these are the disorders that affect the brain as well as the nerves in the human body and spinal cord.

Which neurological conditions can lead to physical and cognitive impairments? This can lead to the following:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • ADD
  • Brain tumors

Symptoms may include muscle weakness, paralysis, loss of sensation, pain, tremors, seizures, and difficulties with coordination and balance. 

These disorders can disrupt employment due to unpredictable symptom flare-ups. Limitations in mobility or cognitive function are also at play.

People seeking disability insurance must give clear records from their doctors. They must document the nature and severity of their neurological impairments.

Developmental Disabilities

The following things can affect cognitive, social, and adaptive functioning:

  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Other developmental conditions

People with developmental disabilities can face all kinds of challenges. Communicating, learning, and having independent living skills can be a struggle. These limitations can impact employment opportunities.

Do You Know?:
According to a study, there were approximately 317 million children and adolescents with health conditions that contributed to developmental disabilities globally in 2019.

These people may also need ongoing support and accommodations. To qualify for SSI benefits, applicants must show significant functional limitations. 

They arise from their developmental disabilities.

These Common Health Conditions Could Qualify You for SSI Benefits

SSI benefits offer crucial financial support to people facing various medical conditions that hinder their ability to work. Anyone affected by these health conditions can seek help through disability programs. It’s essential to explore available resources and seek professional help.

It’s wonderful that people who struggle with their wellness can get help. No matter what you’re dealing with, there are always more things you can do to enjoy life. 

Dive into the rest of our blog posts to get other wellness insights.




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