How does Social Security evaluate strokes and stroke-related disability? Do you qualify for vascular stroke SSDI benefits?
A central nervous system vascular accident, or stroke, can impact people in any number of terrible ways. Depending on the severity of the stroke that you or your loved one has suffered, there may be a difficulty in hearing, seeing, speaking, moving, and even cognitive understanding.
Obviously, if you are having severe difficulties in making sense of the world, communicating with others, and getting around, working is not going to be easy – if it’s even possible. Thank goodness that the Social Security Administration recognizes this, too.
They have defined a vascular stroke as a condition that makes you eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you qualify. How do you do that?
Two Ways You May Qualify for Vascular Stroke SSDI Benefits
- Match the SSA listing. The SSA uses a guidebook called the Listings of Impairments to help determine whether or not someone is eligible for disability benefits. In this book, you will find a definition for each of the conditions listed as well as a set of criteria that you are required to meet. Match these requirements, and you will be automatically eligible for benefits.
- Equal the severity. The SSA Listings require claimants to meet strict medical criteria, which many people find they are unable to satisfy. Some of these people, though, are truly suffering with their condition. If they are able to prove that the severity of their problem is equal to or worse than something already included in the Listings, the SSA will award them benefits. Unfortunately, this process is much more complicated than simply matching a predetermined list of requirements, so it should only be used if you have already failed to meet a listing.
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How to Get Benefits for Vascular Stroke by Matching SSA Listing 11.04
The criteria for vascular stroke SSDI benefits are fairly straightforward. You need to be suffering from one of the following issues after at least three months have passed since the incident:
- Impaired communication or speech due to motor or sensory aphasia that continues for at least 3 months following the stroke.
OR
- Impaired motor function in two extremities that is persistent and severe and makes it difficult for you to move around or engage in more dexterous movements. This must continue for at least 3 months after the stroke.
OR
- Impaired physical function AND one of the following mental impairments:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying; or
- Interacting with others; or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
- Adapting or managing oneself.
Proving Equivalency in Severity to Win Vascular Stroke SSDI Benefits
Don’t forget that if you can’t match the listing, there’s still another way to qualify. Because this process is more complicated, you want to work with an experienced Social Security disability attorney who has had success in stroke disability cases before.
Together, you will need to prove to the SSA that your impairment has kept you from being able to work for at least 12 months by using the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process. This will likely require copious amounts of evidence and testing, but if you succeed, you will be able to receive the benefits that you need to survive.
If you have suffered a stroke that has impacted your ability to work, call a social security disability lawyer who is Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law at 800-562-9830 to help.
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