Are you unable to work because of a medical disability? If so, you might be curious about your eligibility for disability benefits. The Social Security Disability programs provide qualifying applicants with the financial resources they need to support themselves. However, the rules and application procedures for social security claims are complex and often confusing.
To learn more about disability benefits and whether your medical condition could qualify, contact Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons today for a free initial case review.
What Medical Conditions Qualify for Disability in Oklahoma?
Disability benefits are designed for people with disabling conditions that prevent them from working enough to support themselves. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a Listing of Impairments that describes the eligibility criteria for common medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits. Common classes of conditions included in the Listing of Impairments include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Sensory and speech disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Digestive system disorders
- Genitourinary disorders
- Hematological (blood) disorders
- Severe skin disorders
- Endocrine (gland) disorders
- Congenital disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Certain mental disorders
- Malignant cancers
- Immune system disorders
Does a Medical Condition Need to Match the Listing?
You do not have to have a medical condition on the SSA’s listing of impairments to qualify for disability benefits. The list only exists to make things easier for applicants with the most serious health conditions. However, if your condition does not match the listing, you must be able to prove the following for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
- You have earned enough work credits, which you get by working for a certain number of years and paying taxes into Social Security.
- You have a permanent or long-term medical disability that prevents you from performing any work you did previously or adapting to new types of work.
If you are not eligible for SSDI benefits, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI offers benefits to severely disabled individuals with limited income, as well as low-income individuals who are at least 65 or blind.
What If a Disability Isn’t on the Listing of Impairments?
If your condition is not on the SSA’s list, you will need medical evidence to support your claim for disability benefits. You might include documentation like diagnostic test results, X-ray images, or treatment records when you file your claim.
In Oklahoma, Disability Determination Services (DDS) will review your application to verify that you meet the eligibility criteria for benefits. Once the DDS determines whether you qualify, the Social Security Administration will send you a letter notifying you of the decision.
If the DDS denies your application, you can request a reconsideration of the decision within 60 days. However, there are multiple levels to filing an appeal in Oklahoma. You should talk to a skilled disability benefits attorney to help you through the next steps.
Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Oklahoma Today
The disability lawyers of Ryan Bisher Ryan and & Simons are experts in disability law with more than 30 years of experience helping people like you. If you have questions about your disability claim or aren’t sure where to start, contact us now for a free consultation.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
