How to Claim Social Security Benefits for a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured disc, occurs when a spinal disc (a cushion that protects the bones and keeps them together) ruptures and the soft inside gets pushed out. This causes pain and disrupts the function of other areas in the body. Herniated discs can cause you to be disabled for an extended amount of time, thus making you potentially eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Here is how you can claim SSDI benefits after suffering from a herniated disc.

Eligible Benefits for a Herniated Disc

You should use the guide in Section 1.15 of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Disability Evaluation to determine if your injury meets the qualifications for disability. If not, the SSA will go on to evaluate the effects on your ability to work.

To determine if you are eligible for SSDI benefits due to a herniated disc, the SSA will look at how it has affected your ability to work. Your answer to the following questions will determine your eligibility:

• Does it impact your ability to do work?
• Does it impact your ability to keep a job?
• Can you do any other types of work?
• Is it expected to affect you for longer than a year?

You will want to note if the herniated disc affects your ability to perform basic activities and cognitive functions, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, understanding, remembering, responding appropriately to others, and dealing with changes in a routine work setting.

It is also important to identify if this medical condition prevents you from being able to work full-time at the type of jobs you have done for the past 15 years and prevents you from doing other job in the national economy.

The Social Security Administration will also look at your work history. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a work history in which you paid Social Security taxes. The specific work history requirements can vary depending on your age and when your disability began.

Application Process

If you have answered yes to the questions above, the next step is the application process.

When ready, you can apply for SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits online through the SSA website, by phone, or in person at a local SSA office. Be prepared to provide information about your medical condition, your medical treatment history, work history, and other personal information.

Next, you will likely have to wait several months for a decision. In that time, the SSA might even request additional information. If you are approved, you will begin to receive disability payments. If you have been denied, contact an SSDI appeals attorney to appeal the denial or to determine what you need to do to file another application.

Claim the SSDI Benefits You Need for Your Herniated Disc

When a back injury prevents you from working and earning an income, you need financial relief as soon as possible. Reach out to Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law to find out more about how you can get the payments you need after experiencing a herniated disc. Seeking legal assistance could significantly help you navigate the complex application process and increase your chances of success. Learn more during a free consultation.