If you have some type of disability that prevents you from working, you can receive compensation from Social Security Disability Insurance. This insurance may allow you to work part-time or even never work again, depending on the severity of your disability and other factors.
But what disabilities qualify for these benefits? In Colorado, that decision is made by the Disability Determination Services of the Colorado Department of Human Services. If you are applying for disability benefits and you disagree with the assessment, a lawyer may be able to help you get the decision you want.
However, before you search for “best Social Security disability lawyers near me,” read through this list of what disabilities most commonly receive benefits.
What Medical Conditions Qualify for Long-Term Disability?
The following is an unordered list of the ten disabilities most commonly claimed for disability benefits:
- Mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder
- Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and delusions
- Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and delirium
- Other mental disorders not listed above
- Learning disorders or intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome
- Sensory deficiencies like vision loss and hearing loss
- Musculoskeletal system and tissue disorders, including arthritis and scoliosis
- Heart failures, strokes, and other circulatory system diseases
- Abnormal growths, including cancerous tumors
- Catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent damage
These aren’t the only disorders and injuries that can be approved for long-term disability. They are just the most commonly approved. If you are denied one of these types of disability, it could mean that you or someone else made a mistake with your application. An experienced disability attorney may be able to help you get approved.
What Qualifies for Short-Term Disability?
Not all injuries or disorders require long-term disability, even if those conditions will last your entire life. For example, if properly treated, many types of mood disorders may allow you to work full-time without difficulty. However, just because you can work most of the time, that doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for short-term disability.
For example, the sudden loss of a loved one could result in your depression temporarily becoming too difficult to manage. In this situation, even though medication and therapy could normally allow you to work, you might qualify for benefits until you get through the crisis.
As a rule of thumb, the same conditions that qualify for long-term disability can potentially qualify for short-term disability when the effects of those conditions are temporary. Most of the conditions that can cause long-term disability can also result in a disability that lasts for six months or less.
Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
There is no physical or mental condition most likely to be approved for disability. Even seemingly sure-thing disabilities, like paralysis, won’t necessarily be approved. The reason is that approval has less to do with your disability and more to do with the evidence you provide the Disability Determination Services.
You are most likely to be approved for disability when you provide as much strong evidence as possible. This means you should go out of your way to preserve medical records and other evidence of your inability to work.
The other main factor in getting approved is timeliness. If you are late submitting any paperwork, you are much more likely to be denied. An experienced attorney can help you gather evidence and meet all deadlines.
Educate Yourself About Disability Benefits
There is no magic bullet for getting disability benefits. But the better you educate yourself about the system, the types of disabilities that are approved, the process for applying, and the kind of evidence you need, the more likely you will get the benefits you need.
