Determining Eligibility Under The SSA Blue Book In Freehold, New Jersey
The Social Security Association (SSA) created the Social Security Blue Book as a guide for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants. This lists down all details on how an individual may qualify for benefits.
At Johnson Law Firm LLC, we understand that navigating the blue book can be overwhelming. Our New Jersey disability lawyers have over three decades of experience providing legal assistance, and they can help determine your qualifications by giving an overview of what the book contains.
What The SSA Blue Book Is All About
The blue book is a highly technical medical manual that contains SSA’s listing of impairments. It outlines certain requirements for various physical and mental health conditions that the SSA considers severe enough to prevent gainful employment.
In over 35 years, we have noticed that understanding the book’s various categories is key to a successful application. Meeting your respective category’s requirements may lead to approval for benefits.
Major Categories Of Disabling Conditions
The SSA blue book contains a total of 14 main categories of qualifying medical conditions. Some of the common conditions we encounter among our clients include:
- Respiratory disorders: Asthma and cystic fibrosis
- Digestive disorders: Chronic liver disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhaging and inflammatory bowel disease
- Cardiovascular system: Heart failure and coronary artery disease
- Neurological disorders: Cerebral palsy, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease
- Mental disorders: Autism, depression and schizophrenia
In the blue book, each category explains how you may qualify. This includes providing specific evidence that shows how severe your condition is.
What It Means If Your Condition Isn’t Listed
Unfortunately, not all disabling conditions are part of the SSA’s impairment listings. If you are living with a rare, unlisted disease, there is still hope to move your application forward. The SSA will assess your residual functional capacity (RFC), which measures your physical and mental limitations, to determine what work activities you can still perform. In these situations, we pivot our strategy to prove that your RFC is so restricted that no employer could reasonably hire you for any type of sustainable work.
How We Can Help You In Navigating The Blue Book
The language used in the Blue Book is deeply complex and strictly clinical. Unfortunately, a single missing blood test, x-ray or specialist note can result in an immediate denial.
At Johnson Law Firm LLC, we want to be your advocates and guides to:
- Identify the listing that matches your condition
- Coordinate with your physicians to obtain medical records that contain the exact clinical findings, data and documentation the SSA demands
- Bridge the gap between a medical diagnosis and the concrete proof of disability required to avoid a denial
You do not have to carry the burden of going through this intricate legal and medical system alone.
Are You Worried About Your Application? Let Us Help.
We understand how stressful this time is for you. Let our New Jersey disability lawyers’ skills work for you. Call us today at 732-333-8751 to discuss your health condition. You may also fill out a contact form so we can assess how we can help with your SSDI or SSI application.