Getting injured or developing a condition that makes it impossible to earn a living can be one of the most helpless feelings to face. Fortunately, those who experience this scenario may be able to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to provide them with financial assistance. Navigating the claims process for these benefits is a daunting task. One of the requirements set by the Social Security Administration is that the applicant’s condition must be listed as a disability in the SSA’s Blue Book.
What is the Blue Book?
The Blue Book is basically a listing of conditions specified by the Social Security Administration as qualifying for disability benefits. The Blue Book was formerly known as Disability Evaluation Under Social Security. It lists symptoms and medical criteria for determining if an applicant has a qualifying condition.
The Blue Book is an important tool for examiners who consider SSDI applications, as well as medical professionals who supply the medical evidence needed to support an individual’s claim. However, being diagnosed with a condition listed in the Blue Book does not automatically qualify a person for SSDI. Applicants must prove their condition is disabling enough to prevent them from working by supplying the medical evidence spelled out for their condition in the Blue Book.
Where to get help
To obtain disability benefits for an illness or injury, the applicant’s medical condition must be appropriately diagnosed and documented. This is why it’s crucial to collect as much medical evidence and documentation as possible before applying. Anyone who wants to apply for disability benefits but has questions or doesn’t know where to begin may want to consider meeting with an experienced disability attorney who can guide applicants through every step of the process.
