You have reached the point where you don’t feel that you can continue to work. You’re ready to take the steps necessary to receive Social Security benefits, but a big question is still looming: “Do I qualify for disability benefits in Maryland?” Here, we are going to take an in-depth look at what the Social Security Administration’s requirements are for disability benefits, as well as a list of conditions that are considered to be “disabilities”.

Do I Qualify For Disability Benefits in Maryland?

To be considered disabled in the eyes of the Social Security Administration, it is required that you have a disease or condition that has lasted a year, or if your disease is to result in your death. Furthermore, this disease or condition must fully inhibit you from doing any job that you have previously held, as well as any job period. 

An aspect of medicine that is important to note is that many times, a doctor will not give a definitive and formal diagnosis for your condition. Rather, they will express that it may be this condition or that. A patient can then assume from that exchange that they do in fact have a specific aforementioned condition, and tell their next doctor that they received a diagnosis. That condition will then appear on “Past medical history”. This is an important thing to remember because when seeking disability benefits, you will need to provide concrete medical evidence that proves that not only you suffer from this specific condition, but also that this condition has prevented you from being capable of working. Even if you do have a formal diagnosis from your doctor of a disease or condition that is present on the Social Security Administration’s list of Compassionate Allowance Conditions, you will still need to show medical evidence to receive your benefits. 

What most people aren’t aware of when applying for disability benefits is that even if you are medically eligible for benefits, you also need to be found non-medically eligible. Non-medical eligibility is determined by whether or not the applicant has paid enough in taxes from their paychecks recently enough to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or if you have the required amount of assets to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

To be considered medically eligible, it needs to be certain that your condition has rendered you unable to function properly at work. For example, if you are unable to walk, sit, or stand for long periods of time, this would be considered limited functional ability. If it is a mental health condition that has kept you from working, you need medical evidence that you have severe hindrances in your ability to concentrate, communicate, or do your daily activities and tasks.

Here is a list of conditions that are most commonly seen in Social Security disability benefits cases:

  • Advanced Kidney Disease
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Blindness
  • Brain Cancer
  • Inoperable Cancer (any organs)
  • Children held back 2+ years in school
  • Chronic Migraines
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Deafness
  • Frontotemporal Dementia
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gaucher Disease
  • Inability to use hands
  • I.Q. Below 70
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Leukemia
  • Lupus
  • Obesity with high blood pressure
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Postural Hypotension
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • Schizophrenia
  • Severe Anxiety
  • Severe Breathing Problems
  • Severe Depression
  • Severe Heart Problems
  • Severe Nerve Problems
  • Stroke

When seeking Social Security disability benefits, we advise that you meet with an experienced disability attorney or legal group. Obtaining disability benefits can be a long and difficult process, so having expert assistance every step of the way will not only help your case, but also help you and your family as well.

About Disability Associates

Our team at Disability Associates views our clients as more than just another case. We build genuine relationships with each and every one of our clients to ensure that they are comfortable during this stressful time. We value honesty, good communication, and compassion, and implement these values with every client we have. In building these relationships, our clients trust that we will provide competent representation and will do our best to get them the Social Security benefits they deserve.