If you are disabled and unable to work, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

These benefits can be used to help cover the costs of medical bills and your everyday living expenses.

There are two main forms of disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on financial need, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your employment history and paid into through taxes on your income.

How severe does my arthritis have to be to get disability benefits?

Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) currently benefits millions of Americans and their families. However, many people who could benefit from the program are either unsure that they qualify or are intimidated by the process.

To see if your arthritis could qualify for SSDI, we must first understand how disabilities are evaluated

Most people understand that medical records play an important role in someone's ability to obtain Social Security Disability benefits. However, the role a doctor plays in a patient's ability to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is often overlooked.

Exactly what role does your doctor play in your ability to receive disability benefits and how can you ensure that your treating physicians provide the Social Security Administration with the documentation and statements needed to support your disability claim?

A medical report is a comprehensive report that covers a person’s clinical history. A medical report is a vital piece of evidence that can validate and support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.

Ideally, your medical report should be completed by a doctor or medical professional who is familiar with your condition and who has treated you for a significant period of time.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that results in damage to the optic nerve, and eventually causes permanent blindness. An estimated 3 million Americans currently have glaucoma, and around half of them aren’t aware of it - as up to 40% of vision can be lost before symptoms are present.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S., and the overall leading cause worldwide. African Americans, Latinos, diabetics, and those who are middle-aged or elderly have a greater chance of experiencing glaucoma.

Arthritis can be a very painful and debilitating condition to live with. While the severity of arthritis will vary on a case-by-case basis, many people who suffer from the condition are unable to work because of the pain and limited movement that rheumatoid arthritis can cause.

Anyone who has suffered from the disabling condition understands that arthritis can cause agonizing pain. Some people who suffer from arthritis are unable to get out of bed when the flare-ups are at their worst, let alone manage to make it to work and function on a day-to-day basis.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Over 13,000 women in the U.S. were effected with cervical cancer in 2018, and around 41000 lost their lives to it. Cancer of the cervix (the part of the uterus that joins with the vagina) is the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide, and those under the age of 50 are most at risk.

An important aspect of applying for disability benefits is collecting and submitting medical documentation to support your claim. This medical documentation validates your application and proves to the Social Security Administration that you are, in fact, disabled.

When disability affects any member of a family, the financial impact can be great. Social Security disability programs can provide monthly support, ensuring the entire family has what it needs to get by.

The documentation you need when applying for benefits depends on your personal situation and your family dynamic. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of documents and information you’ll want to pull together before starting your disability application:

Medical Records and Doctors’ Statements

There is some confusion about the similarities and differences between a Social Security Disability claim and the VA Disability program, which is designed to assist veterans injured on duty.

Those who lack sufficient information often assume that these programs are similar because an individual eligible for assistance under the VA Disability program may also be able to get disability. Read on to discover the myriad of differences between the two programs.