Do Social Security Disability Benefits Cover Hidden Disabilities?
A hidden disability is a debilitating condition that people can’t notice right away, and you also don’t talk much about it. However, it affects your everyday life, and you plan to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance.
However, you wonder if you’re eligible for SSDI if your condition isn’t visible.
Do you wonder how the Social Security Administration rates your disability?
The good thing is that depending on the disability; you are indeed entitled to receive benefits. However, it is better to proceed with the SSDI application. And it’s better done with the help of a Glendale Social Security benefits lawyer.
Understanding Hidden Disabilities
Hidden disabilities are debilitating conditions that are not that noticeable, like:
- Visual and hearing disabilities
- Chronic Diseases like diabetes, lung disorders, and lupus
- Chronic pain
- Sleep disorders
- Psychological health problems like depression, anxiety, and trauma
- Internal physical trauma
However, these conditions have a few main characteristics that are common in most cases:
1. Not Noticeable
These disabilities are not noticeable for many people, and that’s because these don’t cause deformities and severe movement difficulties to a person.
Moreover, most people with invisible disabilities don’t use medical aids that indicate their disabilities. For example, a person with a sleep disorder doesn’t carry crutches, walkers, or canes.
2. Debilitating and Permanent
Despite being hidden, these disabilities restrict a person’s functionalities, making them unable to complete particular tasks or keeping them from working full-time.
In addition, hidden disabilities stay for a lifetime as well, which means a person may suffer from its effects each day.
3. Cause Pain and Emotional Discomfort
Some of these conditions cause a person pain every so often. Some also affect a person’s emotional and social well-being, which adds to their daily task limitations.
An example is a person with hearing problems who cannot communicate well with his co-employees, thus affecting his work performance and decreasing his self-confidence.
4. Attempts to Mitigate the Symptoms and Effects
In most cases, people with hidden disabilities try to manage their condition. They may take medications or adjust their behaviors to suit their situation.
For instance, you may think that a person doesn’t suffer from chronic pain because he looks great. However, he looks great because he takes pain relievers for pain relief and goes to work.
Claiming Social Security Benefits for Hidden Disabilities
The SSA knows that many people suffer from invisible disabilities, and that’s why they are ready to accommodate you when you file for SSDI.
You only need to remember these steps to get approved:
1. Seek Medical Help
The first thing you must do is consult a physician. Ask the doctor to record your diagnosis and treatment in medical reports. Remember not to hide any information about your medical consultation, and report everything to the SSA, like when you feel worse or better.
2. Talk with Your Employer
You must also report your situation to your employer and let them check your medical documents. You should then document your agreement, such as your new work routine that accommodates your disability.
Reporting your situation can also let you enjoy workers’ compensation if your disability is work-related.
3. Keep Your Medical Receipts
Keep all your medical prescriptions and receipts, including prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. They prove that you’re undergoing treatment.
And receipts of over-the-counter meds prove that you’ve been trying to control particular symptoms.
Hire a Social Security Benefits Attorney in Glendale to Prove Your Disability
You must receive rightful benefits when you have a hidden disability. You only need to remember the points above when filing your SSDI application to get approved.
It’s always better to hire a Glendale Social Security benefits lawyer to prove your condition and help you prepare for a smoother application process.