Whether you develop a chronic illness from environmental exposure, or a genetic condition grows worse, or just general aging, the condition could overwhelm you and bring you to the point of disability. The Social Security Administration recognizes many chronic, debilitating and terminal illnesses as causing disability. People with a qualifying condition who can no longer work may be able to receive Social Security Disability payments, depending on their work history.
What disorders and diseases for which the SSA will approve SSD benefits is not static, and changes from time to time. Here is a sampling of the sorts of disabling conditions that can qualify a person for disability benefits:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Mental illness
- Fibromyalgia
As readers can see, some of these illnesses may be ultimately fatal, like heart disease and cancer. Others will probably not kill the patient, but can profoundly affect their quality of life and ability to perform work functions. They also may exist with other, overlapping illnesses, which further limit the SSD applicant’s ability to earn an income.
Though people who have sufficient work history and are considered disabled by the SSA are entitled to benefits, the process of actually receiving those benefits can be long and difficult. The agency rejects most initial applications, and appeals can take years to complete. Those who try to go through the process without the help of an SSD attorney can find that they have to wait even longer, and possibly wind up wrongfully turned down for benefits.