Formally, the blue book is titled disability evaluation under social security. Diagnosis and evaluation of musculoskeletal impairments should be supported, as applicable, by detailed descriptions of the joints, including ranges of motion, condition of the musculature e. Posted on july 4, 2019 march 12, 2020 by sleepygirl. The criteria in the listing of impairments are applicable to evaluation of claims for disability benefits under the social security disability insurance program or payments under the ssi program. Autoimmune disorders and ssa disability benefits there are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders recognized by medical experts. The blue book has very specific criteria for disabling conditions and the requirements that must be met to gain approval based on the blue book.
The social security administration ssa publishes a listing of impairments that is known as the blue book. Blue book listing for herniated discs herniated discs are listed under section 1. Wac 3884490005 sequential evaluation process step 1 how does the department determine if you are performing substantial gainful employment substantial gainful activity is an earnings standard that is adjusted periodically by the social security administration ssa. Individuals seeking disability benefits will need to meet very specific criteria as outlined by the social security administration ssa. In the blue book are lists with the qualifying criteria for conditions that claimants applying for disability benefits may be. The objective was to assess the social security administrations efforts to update the listing of impairments used to determine whether a person is disabled. Your addiction alone does not qualify you for benefits, but the complications that result from that addiction do. Disabling conditions that meet the severity level requirements for approval are found in the ssa s blue book. Definitions explanations on how the ssa defines certain conditions, symptoms, maladies, and diseases. Tbi may result in neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of posttraumatic symptoms and signs. Working while disabled social security can help social. Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory types of arthritis are included in section 14. You can also find the listings on ssa s website here. On june 2, 2018, new capabilities were added to my social security accounts.
Disability evaluation under social security part iii listing of impairments the listing of impairments describes, for each major body system, impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity or in the case of children under age 18 applying for ssi, severe enough to cause marked and severe. Mental disorders may qualify for ssd benefits rogers, hofrichter. A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a mental or. For the sake of clarity, is not the social security administration, nor is it associated or affiliated with ssa. If you returned to work, but you cant continue working because of your medical.
Electronic disability folder edib electronic disability guide edg electronic records express ere electronic worksheet ews employment network. Autoimmune disorders are caused by dysfunctional immune responses directed against the bodys own tissues, resulting in chronic, multisystem impairments that differ in clinical manifestations, course, and outcome. What if my disabling condition isnt in the blue book. Disorders of the spine, which refers to it as herniated nucleus pulposus. Social security disability benefits for lung cancer. Most likely, a doctors opinion of an equal listing will be necessary before you can be. Summary of ssa criteria for evaluating impairments caused by multiple sclerosis disability evaluation under social security blue book ssa publication no. If you have struggled with drug addiction and it has led to complications, you may be eligible to qualify for disability benefits. Highlights of gao 04 14, a report to congressional requesters historically, the proportion of the social security administrations ssa disability benefits claims that were approved has been lower for africanamericans than for whites.
Light work grid rules medical vocational guidelines light. The social security administration developed the blue book to establish rules and guidelines for representatives to use while deciding if a certain condition qualifies for disability benefits. How to use the blue book to get approved for disability how to. Disability and mecfs myalgic encephalomyelitischronic. How to qualify for social security disability benefits with the blue. These serious medical conditions are set out in the ssa blue book as the listings of impairments. To meet these listings, the applicant must meet the criteria outlined in parts a and b or. Qualifications how long an applicant must have had the condition to qualify and what types of symptoms the applicant must show. I have 3 conditions where medi al records as well as dr completed rfc that meet criteria of blue book for osteonecrosis bone death dr stated i cant walk more than 50 feet without stopping, cant stand longer than 5 minutes, cant use public transportation alone, cant return to old job nor do any type of work. They are sometimes referred to as rheumatic diseases, connective tissue disorders, or collagen. Claimants who meet the eligibility criteria for a condition listed in the blue book should be awarded benefits through the social security disability application process.
How the blue book helps with degenerative disc ssd claim. How to qualify for ssd benefits with a herniated disc. Category 12 of the blue book has 9 subsections and each lists specific requirements. Part a for adults age 18 and over and part b for children under age 18 each have 14 categories of disability listings. Depression and social security disability disability. Category of impairments, neurological disorders 11. To equal a listing, you must show that your impairment is equivalent in both severity and duration to a disability listing for. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 this edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. The blue book contains 14 sections each describing a body system including such things as the. The my social security online portal now accepts wage reports electronically from supplemental security income ssi recipients and deemors, concurrent beneficiaries, and representative payees. The ssa will first refer to its blue book to see if your mental condition satisfies the requirements under section 12.
And second, whatever benefits you have received from social security will. To qualify for social security disability, you need to be at least four of the following symptoms. In this test, you walk on a treadmill, usually for a specified period of time, and the individual who administers the test measures the effect of exercise on the flow of blood in your legs, usually by using ultrasound. When it comes to filing for social security disability benefits for lung cancer, the ssa will use the criteria outlined in the blue book to help better determine eligibility. The blue book is an online manual created by the ssa to assist in the. The blue book s official title is disability evaluation under social security. Apply for disability benefits with bipolar disorder. They may consult any or all of the following, dependent upon the specifics of your hypothyroidism. An applicants depressive disorder must satisfy requirements a and b or must satisfy requirement c in section 12. Getting social security benefits by equaling a disability.
The social security administrations listing of disabling conditions that can qualify disability benefits is known as the blue book. If youre receiving social security disability benefits or ssi, let us know right away when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. When an applicant applies for social security disability benefits, the ssa will evaluate the severity of his or her condition and will compare it to the blue book to determine their eligibility. Aug 25, 2015 these serious medical conditions are set out in the ssa blue book as the listings of impairments. I apply for a period of disability andor all insurance benefits for which i am eligible under title ii and part a of title xviii of the social security act, as presently amended. How the social security blue book of impairments can affect. If your impairments are similar to a listing in the social security blue book, but they dont meet all of the requirements in the listing, you may be able to receive benefits if your impairment can equal the listing. The requirements for each disorder are listed in the social securitys blue book, which you can consult on the ssa s website at any time. In part, disability examiners use a list of impairments known as the blue book to determine if an individual will meet the social security definition of. These special appointments are the same poor aljs that needed a union to. Both parts divide general impairments into categories part a has 14 while part b has 15 where each category lays out the restrictions and specifications for a condition to qualify for benefits.
It is also important to understand that the ssa will compare your medical records to a number of different listings, if your complications do not all align with a single listed impairment in the blue book. Understood empowers millions of parents through personalized resources, daily access to experts, interactive tools and a supportive online and ontheground. The social security blue book listing of impairments. Autoimmune disorders result when an individual s immune system or white blood cells, which protect the body from dangerous antigens such as cancer cells, viruses, toxins and bacteria, begin to attack healthy body tissue or organs. For more information, go to our section on how social securitys disability listings work. Physicians utilize the blue book when helping patients know if they meet disability requirements. I always hate to offer an opinion but when asked i try my best. Meeting a social security disability listing is a fast and direct way to win ssdi or ssi benefits. For all other listings, the evidence must show that the impairment has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. An applicant filing a claim for peripheral neuropathy would be evaluated under listing 11.
There are 14 categories within the blue book that groups together similar conditions and list the requirements for a condition to receive benefits. The ssa also recognizes that there are various ways to diagnose and document the same illness. Help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. The ridge soaring irregulars were lead by karl striedieck at 147. How to use the blue book to get approved for disability. The blue book is located online at the ssa s website, and it can be. One or both lower extremities at or above the tarsal region, with stump complications resulting in medical inability to use a prosthetic device to ambulate effectively, as defined in 1. Process to determine if a persons impairments meet the ssa listings of impairments criteria. The twelfth category is about the different types of mental disorders.
A consecutive 12month period means a period of 12 consecutive months, all or part of which must occur within the period we are. Learn how to use ssas blue book for rapid approvals. Developed in collaboration with 14 nonprofit partners, is a free resource and community supporting parents of the 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues. The blue book lists specific criteria that under which claimants who suffer from a disabling condition can qualify for social security disability benefits. Most individuals who apply for social security disability dont know what disability criteria the social security administration ssa uses to determine whether claimants are disabled.
Divided into 14 different body systems, the blue book also includes the medical. The limitation in your physical functioning must last or be expected to last at least 12 months. The social security administration ssa uses the blue book to determine. This capability had been available only to social security disability insurance ssdi beneficiaries. If your medical records support the summary that you gave then i would agree you have a very strong case.
Aug 11, 2014 depression is covered in the ssa blue book under listing 12. If youre able to do this, you stand a good chance of receiving benefits. While depression is not specifically covered in the blue book under its own listing, you may qualify for social security disability benefits under section 12. For an individual with osteoarthritis to qualify, his or her condition must meet the requirements for section 14.
With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits. The blue book covers both physical and mental impairments, and it discusses many serious diseases that can be disabling. These tests are designed primarily to provide evidence. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 the social security administration ssa has prepared an online guide disability evaluation under social security external icon to provide physicians and other health professionals with an understanding of how its disability programs are administered. How to apply for disability benefits wih a spine disorder. To find out if you qualify, check the blue book listing for a specific disability or disabling condition. Characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. If your impairments does not meet or equal a listing see section on listings the grid rules come into play when an individual has a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment, is not working at sga level and the impairment prevents an individual from performing any of their past relevant work. The social security administrations blue book lists the requirements for specific disabilities to qualify for disability benefits. The social security administration evaluates mental disorders under a specific type of regulation called 12. Schizoaffective disorder and social security disability. The blue book is located online at the ssas website, and it can be. Understanding ssa s mental disorder listings is critical to successful ssissdi applications.
Disabling conditions social security disability help. If your condition isnt listed in the blue book, its possible that your illness may equal that of a listed. Summary of ssa criteria for evaluating impairments caused. When an applicant has a condition that is listed in the blue book, it is much easier to qualify for benefits than if their disability is not included in the publication. Social security administration ssa processes hundreds of thousands of claims each year, and to help streamline the process, they have created a standardized list of qualifying disabilities that are all listed in the blue book of impairments. You may want to contact the ssa regarding this, you can get in touch with them by calling them at 180077212. Applying for disability benefits with hypothyroidism.
Drug addiction and social security disability benefits. Disfigurement or deformity resulting from skin lesions may result in loss of sight, hearing, speech, and the ability to chew mastication. These examples illustrate the nature of physical functioning. One hand and one lower extremity at or above the tarsal region, with. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life. The evaluation of disability on the basis of mental disorders requires documentation of a medically determinable impairments, consideration of the degree of limitation such impairments may impose on the individuals ability to work, and consideration of whether these limitations have lasted or are expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. The social security administration ssa uses a medical guide, known as the blue book, to determine whether or not a. Can people with shingles get social security disability. I have 3 conditions where medi al records as well as dr completed rfc that meet criteria of blue book for osteonecrosis bone death dr stated i cant walk more than 50 feet without stopping, cant stand longer than 5 minutes, cant use public transportation alone, cant return to old job nor do any. Less than two years ago the ssa eliminated its blue book listings involving endocrine disorders. While many spinal disorders are covered under social security disability ssdi and supplemental security income ssi, certain conditions must be met before the application will. Schizophrenia and social security disability disability. The social security blue book listing of impairments alllaw.
The closest impairment in the ssas blue book is 11. Social security disability listings blue book medical. You can also find the listings on ssas website here. How to get support for common problems in college ssa.
When i compare your symptoms to the list and your gaf score, they more then meet the criteria. Remember that light work means that you can stand and walk for up to 6 hours in an 8 hour day, lift 10 lbs. Obsolete versions of part a, the listing of impairments ssa. Lung cancer and social security disability benefits. Disability benefits for depression apply for ssi or ssdi. The blue book is written in a very complex and technical nature because it is designed for medical and social security disability professionals rather than the public. The listing refers to impaired motor function as described in listing 11. An individual may be financially eligible for abd cash but not.
A diagnosis of schizophrenia is not enough, in and of itself, to qualify an individual for social security disability benefits. Listing of impairments adult listings part a the following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults and younger children. The guidelines for evaluating impairments caused by cerebral trauma are contained in 11. Specifically, to match the listing for disorders of the spine listing 1. The ssa allows what is known as an equal a listing because it cant include every form or variant of a severe disability in the blue book listings. The social security administration has a listing of impairments that outline the medical criteria you must prove if you want to qualify for disability under these impairments. The blue book is what adjudicators refer to when processing a claim for social security disability benefits. First off, you only have 12 months from when you first begin receiving benefits to file form ssa521. How the blue book can help you with your stroke ssd claim. How the social security blue book of impairments can. Impairment or combination of impairments equaling a listing medical equivalence. The ssa specifies the symptoms and severity required to match each of these listings. For an individual with depression to qualify for social security disability benefits, his or her symptoms must meet the severity levels required by the ssa s blue book in section 12.