The Social Security Administration (SSA) may offer Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to those who have survived yet incurred serious physical injuries in a catastrophic event. Additionally, it may extend aid to those who have been suffering from physical impairments since their date of birth or their date of diagnosis. However, you must understand that the SSA still limits the extent of their financial assistance to only certain physical disabilities. Read on to discover the types of injuries that qualify and how a seasoned attorney in physical disability SSDI benefits in New Jersey, at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, can help you apply.
What types of physical injuries qualify for SSDI benefits?
Firstly, the SSA enforces a list of physical injuries that qualify for its SSDI benefits program, made accessible on its website. This list is broken down into 14 categories of possible impairments, which read as follows:
- Musculoskeletal disorders.
- Special senses and speech.
- Respiratory disorders.
- Cardiovascular system.
- Digestive disorders.
- Genitourinary disorders.
- Hematological disorders.
- Skin disorders.
- Endocrine disorders.
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems.
- Neurological disorders.
- Mental disorders.
- Cancer (malignant and neoplastic diseases).
- Immune system disorders.
You must understand that the SSA updates its list of eligible physical injuries each year, as new information and medical treatments become available. As of 2024, prevalent physical injuries that appear on this list read as follows:
- Soft tissue injuries (i.e., burns).
- Loss of visual acuity (i.e., blindness).
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Chronic heart failure or ventricular dysfunction.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Diabetic nephropathy.
- Disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis.
- Genetic photosensitivity disorders.
- Thyroid gland disorders.
- Non-mosaic Down syndrome.
- Primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Autoimmune disorders.
Even if you see your physical disabilities listed above, it is still in your best interest to first consult with an attorney. This is so you may confirm that you are eligible to begin with; before you commit yourself to the long and extensive process of applying for SSDI benefits.
How long do I have to apply for benefits?
There is not necessarily a time limit for filing your application for SSDI benefits. But even still, if you do not apply in a timely manner, you may miss out on some of your opportunities for financial aid.
This is because the SSA may only pay you retroactive SSDI benefits for the 12 months before your application submission date. So for example, if your physical disability onset date was 15 months before your application submission date, you may lose three months’ worth of payout.
For this reason alone, you must not sit idly by; but rather take immediate action by retaining the services of a competent New Jersey physical disability SSDI benefits attorney. Contact The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.
