The Social Security Administration (SSA) has estimated that it provides disability benefits to more than eight million Americans across the United States. Among those, a handful of types of disabilities make up a disproportionate number of the people who seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here are five of the most common reasons people apply for SSDI or SSI benefits:
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- The most common form of disabilities seen in SSDI and SSI applications are musculoskeletal conditions. These include relatively mundane, but still potentially disabling, conditions like arthritis, as well as degenerative disc disease and other chronic degenerative conditions. They can also include injuries caused by accidents, such as severe damage to the bones or muscles resulting from a car accident.
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cardiovascular issues are also commonly cited reasons for SSDI or SSI applications. These include things like heart disease, stroke, COPD, or certain other respiratory ailments, all of which can have a severe impact on a person’s ability to work. In addition, many of these are chronic or degenerative conditions, meaning they often lead to permanent disability.
- Immune system disorders
- Immune system disorders are a class of diseases that come about as a result of problems with a person’s immune system. That can mean certain diseases, such as HIV, which can impair a person’s immune response, as well as autoimmune disorders that result in the body attacking itself as though it were a pathogen. While some of these conditions can be managed with medication, many of them result in long-term health issues, necessitating SSDI or SSI.
- Mental illness
- Mental illness is a persistent but often underestimated problem. Millions of Americans suffer from psychological issues like depression, generalized anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, ADHD, and other issues that can make holding down a job or managing daily tasks incredibly difficult. Even with therapy and medication, it is sometimes necessary for people with mental illness to get SSDI and SSI to help pay the bills.
- Cancer
- A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that it can become incredibly difficult to hold down a job. Aside from the effects of the cancer itself, many of the treatments for cancer can also have a substantial negative impact on a person’s life. For that reason, many people diagnosed with cancer will apply for SSDI or SSI benefits while they are undergoing treatment.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
