Social Security Disability benefits can make a big difference in the lives of Florida residents who are unable to work due to an illness or injury. But in order to qualify for SSD benefits, an individual has to meet the strict requirements laid out by the Social Security Administration. This can be difficult depending on the condition from which an individual suffers. Efforts by the claimant to seek treatment for the disease, illness, or injury may make pursuing a claim a little more challenging.
To serve as an example, let’s look at medical conditions that affect the respiratory system. Under the SSA’s regulations, an individual who has received medically prescribed treatment must provide documentation of that treatment. The reasoning is simple: clinical treatment could have a profound impact on an individual’s condition. An individual who receives such treatment may be deemed able to work, whereas an individual who does not receive that treatment may be considered disabled.
Just as one’s medical history may show that an individual’s condition is manageable, it can also help show that he or she meets the SSA’s requirements. For the respiratory system, this may mean providing the SSA with an extensive medical history, complete with records of chest x-rays, physical examinations, and pulmonary function tests. The documentation that an individual needs to provide will depend on his or her condition, but it is critical that the record be complete so that the SSA can have a full picture of the situation before rendering a decision regarding SSD benefits.
Dealing with a respiratory condition can be painful and life-altering. Individuals who suffer from such conditions should not have to worry about how to make ends meet. Instead, they should be able to turn their focus to their health and their family’s well-being. Being diligent and aggressive when seeking Social Security disability benefits could lead to the recovery of compensation they need to do so.
Source: Social Security Administration, “3.00 Respiratory System – Adult,” accessed on Sep. 19, 2016
