Published on: September 17, 2015
You may be wondering whether or not your condition qualifies for disability benefits in Florida. The answer to that question is not an easy one. There are many conditions, both physical and mental, that qualify you for disability benefits. But there are very specific requirements that must be met for each condition in order for you to qualify. Below, we’ve outlined how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines conditions eligible for disability benefits for Florida residents.
Basic Requirements to Qualify for Disability Benefits in Florida
No matter what medical condition you have, you must first meet the following criteria in order to qualify for disability benefits in Florida. Meeting all of these criteria basically means that you are disabled according to the SSA and may qualify for disability benefits:
- You cannot do work that you did before.
- You have worked and paid into Social Security, earning satisfactory work credits.
- The SSA decides that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s).
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
We can Help You Sort through the SSA Blue Book
The Social Security Administration has a detailed list of impairments on their website, called the blue book. The blue book lists medical conditions that qualify you for disability benefits and is broken down into fourteen categories, as follows:
- Musculoskeletal System
- Special Senses and Speech
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Digestive System
- Genitourinary Impairments
- Hematological Disorders
- Skin Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Impairments that Affect Multiple Body Systems
- Neurological
- Mental Disorders
- Malignant Neoplastic Diseases
- Immune System Disorders
Within each category, you’ll find pages and pages and pages of detailed information on the specific impairments within each category, and information on each of those specific impairments. Sounds confusing, right? That’s because it is. While the SSA does a great job of listing specific information in an organized manner, it can be very difficult to understand so much information at once, and you may be left with even more questions about your eligibility. To make it more confusing, there are even some conditions, like fibromyalgia, that while they are not listed in the blue book, may still qualify you for disability benefits. But don’t be discouraged by the volume of information in the SSA website. We are here to help! At Disability Experts of Florida, we understand the SSA's resources and their limitations. We can help you make sense of it all, and can provide you with expert advice that the SSA website can’t.
Call for More Information and to See if You Qualify for Disability Benefits in Florida
Give us a call and we can explain eligibility requirements, no matter your medical condition, and we’ll help you get started on your disability benefits claim. We can even file your claim for you. We’ll do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible for you. While you are not required to seek representation to file your claim, getting help from us will mean a stronger application for you and a better chance at a favorable outcome. Our professional disability advocates are experts in disability benefits and will see you through the process from beginning to end, helping you get the benefits you need and deserve. Call us today.
