The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to Americans who can show that they are disabled, unable to work on account of that disability, and meet other federal requirements. In an attempt to help individuals assess whether they may qualify for SSD benefits, the SSA has created a list of qualifying illnesses and injuries, as well as how a disabled individual can show that he or she qualifies under each illness and injury.
For example, disability benefits may be provided to those who suffer from a genetic photosensitivity disorder. However, in order to be considered “disabled” by the SSA, an individual must show that he or she qualifies in one of two ways. The first is to merely show that one suffers from Xeroderma pigmentosum. Those who can show medical documentation of this diagnosis are immediately considered disabled.
The second way an individual can qualify for SSD benefits under this category is to show that one suffers from some other genetic photosensitivity disorder along with one of two characteristics. The first characteristic is that skin lesions, which are extensive in nature, have either lasted or are expected to last at one year. The second characteristic to qualify under this prong is that an individual with a genetic photosensitivity disorder is unable to function without the assistance of a protective environment for a period of at least one continuous year.
Applying and qualifying for SSD benefits may seem easy enough, but the truth of the matter is that many SSD claims are denied by the SSA. The reasons vary, but they are often related to an individual’s inability to show that he or she meets the government’s medical requirements necessary in order to receive benefits. Although this may be disheartening, there is a lot of grey area when it comes to one’s medical condition. For this reason, those who have been subjected to a claim denial should carefully consider appealing the denial with the assistance of a qualified legal professional.