While medical professionals do consider drug addiction to be a type of disability, it is important to understand that a substance use disorder (which includes alcohol and drug addictions) does not qualify a person for government benefits. Programs like Social Security that are designed to financially support the disabled will NOT provide benefits based on a drug or alcohol addiction.
That said, it is possible to obtain Social Security benefits for a recognized disability when you are dealing with substance abuse issues. An experienced attorney can advise you on whether you have a viable claim for Social Security benefits.
Is your addiction a material factor in your disability?
You are not entitled to Social Security benefits due to your drug or alcohol addiction. However, you could have a viable claim in spite of your substance abuse issues. The important issue that the Social Security Administration will review is whether or not your drug addiction or alcoholism is a material factor in your disability.
What determines if your substance abuse issues are a material factor in your disability? The Social Security Administration will only award benefits for disabling conditions that were not caused or made worse by drug abuse or alcoholism. That means you could be entitled to benefits if you would otherwise meet the grounds for Social Security benefits, so long as your drug abuse and alcoholism did not cause your disabling condition or make it worse.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Can drug addiction or alcoholism result in my denial?
Facing drug abuse or alcoholism on its own will not automatically make you ineligible for benefits through the Social Security Administration. The primary question is whether or not these issues are a material factor in your disability. The law does not allow the Social Security Administration to summarily deny your claim based on drug abuse or alcoholism alone.
It is also important to note that the use of alcohol or drugs is not automatically considered dependency by the Social Security Administration. When the Social Security Administration considers the issue, they have to determine if an applicant for benefits has a pattern of abusing alcohol or drugs. These patterns would have to be significant enough to disrupt that person’s work or private life.
Was your Social Security claim denied?
If you were denied Social Security benefits, the presence of drug or alcohol dependency could have been a factor. That said, these issues do not guarantee that your claim will never be accepted.
You could still be entitled to benefits through the Social Security Administration. Your best option for securing those benefits is by working closely with a Social Security disability denial attorney. The team at Marc Whitehead & Associates is here to help you following a denial of your claim. To get your case back on track, reach out right away for your initial consultation.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
