Social Security disability benefits can be an essential resource for people who cannot fully support themselves due to physical or mental health conditions. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding the process of applying for and receiving these benefits. If you are planning to apply for disability benefits, it is critical to have accurate information in order to make informed decisions about your financial future. Here are some common misconceptions about Social Security disability benefits that you should know about: Myth #1: Disability Benefits Are Based on Age It is often though ..read more

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, and an HIV infection can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). While HIV infections are incurable, in recent years, advancements in medicine have made it possible for many people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives. However, people living with HIV may still experience complications that affect their ability to maintain gainful employment, and they may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if they meet certain criteria. What Are the Criteria for Qualifying for Social Security Di ..read more

There are numerous conditions that may limit a person's ability to maintain gainful employment, and when these issues are severe enough, a person may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, when applying for disability benefits, a person will need to demonstrate that their condition has limited their ability to work. Multiple factors may be evaluated when determining whether a specific condition is considered to be a disability, and in many cases, a key issue to address will be whether a person can maintain concentration, persistence, and pace while working. Understanding ex ..read more

Originally published: February 3, 2012 -- Updated: November 28, 2022 Update: As discussed below, autonomic neuropathy can occur if a person experiences damage to the nervous system that disrupts various automatic bodily functions, including internal organs such as the heart or digestive system. While autonomic neuropathy may not be considered to be a disability on its own, its effects and the related conditions a person is likely to experience may be severe enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Some disabling conditions that may meet the criteria to be considered disabilit ..read more

A mental health condition can have a severe impact on your ability to work and earn enough to support yourself. Many people who struggle with serious mental health disorders find that they are not able to stay in any position for more than a few weeks or maybe months at a time. Mental illness can make it impossible for a person to get out of bed and dressed for work every day, the same way a physical illness can. Psychological disorders can also impact a person’s behavior while they are working, leading to trouble. Many people with mental health-related disabilities have been dismissed from a ..read more

There are multiple different conditions that can affect a person's ability to work and earn enough money to support themselves and their family. Fortunately, disability benefits are available through Social Security for those who are totally disabled. However, demonstrating that a condition is severe enough to be considered a total disability is not always easy, especially for mental conditions that are not always outwardly obvious.  One issue that will often play a significant role in these cases is a person's residual functional capacity, or RFC. The RFC is basically a measure of what ..read more

On August 15, 2022, the Social Security Administration SSA added 12 new Compassionate Allowance (CAL) conditions. The conditions are: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease, Microvillus Inclusion Disease – Child, Mowat-Wilson Syndrome, Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Excess Blasts, NUT Carcinoma, Pfeiffer Syndrome – Types II and III, Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia, Posterior Cortical Atrophy, Renal Amyloidosis – AL Type, Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma. Per the SSA press release, “The Compassionate Allowances program quickl ..read more

If you have a physical impairment that has made it impossible for you to find or maintain employment, you may be able to receive government benefits to address your disability. These benefits are provided through the Social Security Administration. Social Security disability benefits are based on your inability to work due to your medical condition. In order to qualify for Social Security disability, you must prove that you cannot maintain gainful employment because of your limitations.  One way that Social Security evaluates whether you are capable of working is through a residual functi ..read more

People who experience serious injuries or illnesses may rely on government aid to meet their needs. Social Security disability benefits may be available to a person who has suffered from a disabling health condition that has affected them for at least one year or is expected to last for 12 months or more. To demonstrate that they qualify for disability benefits, a person will need to provide medical evidence, and in some cases, Social Security may also require them to be examined by an independent medical professional. In some cases, these professionals may come to different conclusions, and a ..read more

A stroke can have a serious impact on your quality of life and ability to hold down a job. During a stroke, blood flow to your brain is disturbed either through a lack of blood flow, known as an ischemic stroke or by a leakage of blood, known as a hemorrhage. Depending on the section of the brain that is impacted, you may suffer from mobility issues, impaired vision, and slurred speech. Given the potentially life-altering impact of a stroke, victims are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Qualifying Factors for Benefits After a Stroke If a stroke prevents you or your spouse from ..read more