What Conditions Automatically Qualify You For Disability?

You have probably heard that being approved for disability benefits can be challenging. The process can also be time consuming which leaves many people wondering and worrying about what to do for income while waiting for disability. Documentation is the key to a successful claim. There are a lot of medical conditions, however, that do qualify for expedited approval. Some conditions automatically qualify for disability benefits if you have a confirmed diagnosis. There are a few conditions that warrant such approvals. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two disability benefits programs that are application-based and offer financial assistance to people who have a medical condition (i.e., a disability) that prevents them from working. These two programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What Medical Conditions Automatically Qualify You For Social Security Disability?

The best way to tell which medical conditions automatically qualify you for Social Security disability is to consult the compassionate allowances list. This list has over 200 conditions so it is important to view it. If your condition is on the list, it is likely that your application process will be expedited.

What medical conditions automatically qualify you for disability? Some conditions that automatically qualify you for disability include:

• Cancers (advanced stages)
• Cardiovascular system disorders (chronic heart failure)
• Neurological disorders (ALS, multiple sclerosis)
• Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Musculoskeletal system (spinal disorders)
• Organ transplantation
• Parkinson's
• Visual disorders (blindness)

A claim because of one of these conditions will get expedited attention, which means you might get a decision within a month of applying.

That is the fastest or as close to automatic as you can expect with a Social Security disability claim. There are a few conditions that are on the Listing of Impairments Manual used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that will qualify for disability benefits if you can prove through medical records their existence or occurrence. Those conditions include:

• Kidney transplant
• Liver transplant
• Cochlear transplant
• Lung transplant
• Heart transplant 

For those five automatic disabilities, the SSA will review the case at the end of a year, or three years for a lung transplant, to determine if the claimant is still considered disabled per the SSA guidelines/.

What Conditions Qualify For Disability Benefits?

Not all conditions automatically qualify for disability benefits. This leaves many people asking do I qualify for disability? Some conditions require more evidence and time to show that they qualify for disability benefits. The conditions that qualify for disability benefits include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Special Senses and Speech
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular System Disorders
• Digestive System Disorders
• Genitourinary Disorders
• Hematological Disorders
• Skin Disorders
• Endocrine Disorders
• Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
• Neurological Disorders
• Mental Disorders
• Cancer
• Immune System Disorders

These can all be found in the SSA's Blue Book under the Adult Listings. Each category contains different conditions that may qualify for disability benefits as well as how each condition can qualify.

What Does it Mean to Automatically Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

When the SSA refers to conditions that automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits it is referring to the list of disabilities that qualify for the compassionate allowances program.

Compassionate allowances allow the SSA to quickly identify disabilities and other serious ailments that qualify to be approved for Social Security disability benefits.

Common conditions that automatically qualify for disability though a compassionate allowance are advanced-stage cancers, ALS, paralysis. Those are among 200+ conditions that automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

If you have a condition that automatically qualifies for disability through a compassionate allowance is that it will help the SSA reduce the waiting to reach their determination whether you qualify for disability benefits.

Once your application is submitted and your paperwork and test results provided show that you has a qualifying disorder that qualifies for a compassionate allowance, your application will be proceed quicker than other applications with conditions that are not on the compassionate allowances list.

It also means that you can start receiving your payments a lot sooner. You could receive Compassionate Allowance benefits from a few weeks to 2 months after the application is received.

That is compared to the 6-12 month timeframe for normal Social Security disability benefits applications for conditions that don’t automatically qualify for benefits.

How Do I Prove That I Automatically Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Just because you have a condition that is on the compassionate allowances list, doesn’t mean that you will automatically qualify just because you are reporting to the SSA that your condition like Stage-IV breast cancer is on there.

You still need to provide all your medical documentation, diagnostics tests and doctor’s notes to show that your diagnosis does indeed meet the requirements of the compassionate allowance listing.

Providing supporting medical evidence to prove your diagnosis is the key to automatically qualifying for disability benefits.

The more medical evidence you have to show that your condition does match its listing in the compassionate allowance, the more likely you are to automatically qualify for disability benefits.

The SSA uses a guide called the “Blue Book” which lists conditions it will consider for review for people applying for Social Security disability benefits.

The Blue Book listings are divided into sections for adults and children, reflecting the different ways Social Security examiners evaluate the impact of a disability on those under the age of 18 and those beyond the age of 18. Part A, the adult component, is organized into 14 categories that represent various bodily system illnesses or diseases.

The Importance of Medical Records For Automatically Qualifying for Disability

Even for these conditions that get automatic approval for disability benefits, the proper medical records are needed. Without hard medical evidence, any claim will be denied disability.  Be sure to look out for the signs that you will be denied for disability.

You must provide Disability Determination Services will all your medical records to show evidence of your diagnosis along with the necessary supporting information.

If your physician left out important supporting details, your claim could be denied although your condition is classified as medically eligible for disability benefits. Your denial notice will explain why your claim was denied, and you can then appeal and provide the additional details needed to support your claim.

The Financial Standpoint for Automatically Qualifying for Disability

Even if you have a condition that will automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the SSA will consider the financial situation. If you are working enough to exceed the limits for substantial gainful activity (SGA), your claim will be denied.

Often, claimants continue working part-time to cover some basic living expenses. If their income exceeds the SGA, their claim will be denied because the SSA believes the individual can continue working and earn a sufficient living.

You Could Earn Up to $3,627 a Year! Get a Free Case Evaluation

You may want to seek the help of a disability attorney if you are looking to file a claim for Social Security disability. Disability attorneys are kind of like a disability help center because they can really help you navigate the process of applying for disability benefits through a compassionate allowance in order to help you get your benefits as soon as possible. 

Take our SSDI calculator to see how much you could earn in disability. 

Your disability attorney or disability advocate may be able to know what paperwork, tests and other medical evidence you will need in order to prove to the SSA that you will automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Ultimately, disability attorneys and advocates can offer invaluable disability benefits help. 

Additional Resources

• What Conditions Automatically Qualify You For Disability
• What To Do For Income While Waiting For Disability
• What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability
• Are any disabilities pre-approved for Social Security?
• Signs That You May Be Approved For Disability
• What Cancers Automatically Qualify for Disability Benefits?