Blood performs essential functions in your body, from carrying oxygen to organs and muscles to carrying wastes out of the body. Blood even helps your body fight off infection. So, it should come as no surprise that a blood disorder can be debilitating. Some blood disorders can even be fatal.
Of course, there are many different types of blood disorders, and they vary in severity. Here’s what you need to know about pursuing Social Security disability (SSD) benefits for a blood disorder.
Blood Disorders in the Social Security Blue Book
Most blood disorders are evaluated under Section 7.00 of the Social Security Blue Book, but there are exceptions. Even within the Hematological Disorders section, there are a number of separate listings with different evaluation criteria for different blood disorders. These include:
If your medical documentation shows that you meet the listing criteria, you will typically be found to be disabled. But, determining whether or not you qualify based on a Blue Book listing can be a challenge.
There are some overlaps in the categories. For example, aplastic anemia is a disorder of bone marrow failure. However, the condition is sometimes treated with stem cell transplantation or a bone marrow transplant, in which case it is evaluated differently. It can be difficult to know which set of criteria to look at. And, to further complicate things, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will sometimes evaluate blood disorders under listings for other body systems impacted by the disorder.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sort out your SSD claim on your own. The SSD benefits advocates at Disability Help Group have extensive experience guiding people with disabling conditions through the SSD application and appeals processes. Our advocates have a thorough understanding of the processes, how to apply the listing criteria, and what type of evidence the SSA will be looking for.
Our advocates can also explain how you may be able to qualify for SSD benefits without meeting the criteria for a listed condition, and what type of evidence would be required.
To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
Are There SSD Benefits Available for Asperger’s Syndrome?
Like most other conditions, Asperger’s syndrome varies in severity and specifics. So, not everyone who is diagnosed with Asperger’s qualifies for Social Security disability (SSD). However, Asperger’s syndrome is listed in the Social Security Blue Book, Those who meet the listing criteria may receive SSD. And, some people who don’t meet the listing criteria but have other medical complications and conditions may also qualify.
The best way to find out whether you may have a valid claim for SSD benefits is to talk to an experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate.
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome is no longer an official medical diagnosis. Instead, people who meet the criteria for what was previously described as Asperger’s are diagnosed with Level 1 Autism. However, many people still refer to the condition as Asperger’s syndrome.
Have difficulty understanding social norms or reading social cues
How seriously these symptoms impact one’s ability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) depends on the exact nature and severity of the symptoms.
Asperger’s Syndrome in the Social Security Blue Book
Applicants claiming SSD benefits for Asperger’s syndrome are evaluated under section 12.10 of the Blue Book, which sets forth the criteria for all autism spectrum disorders.
To qualify for SSD benefits under the listing, the applicant must have medical documentation of:
Qualitative deficits in verbal communication, nonverbal communication and social interaction AND
Significantly restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must show extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two of the following:
The ability to understand, remember or apply information
The ability to interact with others
The ability to concentrate, persist or maintain pace
The ability to adapt or manage themself
An applicant who doesn’t meet all of the criteria in the listing isn’t necessarily disqualified. For example, an applicant with Asperger’s syndrome who also suffers from a physical disability or a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression may qualify under the alternative, more holistic assessment.
Talk to an SSD Benefits Advocate Today
The SSD application and appeals processes can be daunting and confusing, particularly if you have a medical condition that may create additional obstacles. The advocates at Disability Help Group have developed deep knowledge of the processes and the type of evidence required so you don’t have to. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 today, or fill out our contact form here.
Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at information about consumer prices and adjusts Social Security disability (SSD) and retirement benefits to keep pace. It’s that time of year again, and the SSA will increase benefits by 2.5% for 2025. Here’s how the SSA determines the increase and why the 2025 cost of living adjustment (COLA) is lower than the boost Social Security and SSD recipients have seen in the past few years.
How the Social Security / SSD COLA is Determined
The Social Security Act sets forth the method for determining the annual COLA for Social Security retirement and SSD benefits. The SSA looks at the year-over-year increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Inflation in the United States has cooled down significantly over the past year, so the year-over-year increase in late 2024 was significantly smaller than it’s been in recent years. In the past few years, SSD recipients have seen unusually high increases:
In 2022, the COLA for Social Security benefits was 5.9%
In 2023, the COLA for Social Security benefits was 8.7%
In 2024, the COLA for Social Security benefits dropped to 3.2% but was still above the average increase
If you’re a relatively new SSD recipient, this year’s 2.5% COLA might seem unusually low. It’s very close to the average annual increase of 2.6%. Since the COLA is percentage-based, the dollar amount of your 2025 increase will vary depending on the amount of your monthly benefits.
Other Annual Adjustments
The SSA makes other adjustments at the same time as the COLA. One of those is in the amount of income that is subject to withholding for Social Security. This year, that cap is increasing from $168,600/year to $176,100/year.
The amount of monthly income the SSA considers “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) is also increasing, from $1,550 to $1,620. The cut-off for blind applicants will increase from $2,590 to $2,700.
Help for SSD Applicants
SSD can be a lifeline for people who are no longer able to earn a living due to medical problems.Unfortunately, most SSD claims are denied. Whether you are just preparing to apply or have been denied SSD benefits and want to appeal, Disability Help Group is here for you. Our experienced advocates understand the processes and how the SSA assesses claims. We can help you put together the strongest claim package or appeal possible. To learn more, call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
Can I Receive SSD for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?
A disabled worker can receive Social Security disability (SSD) benefits for any medical condition as long as they have sufficient work credits and are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to their medical condition. However, establishing that the applicant meets the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition of “disabled” is more straightforward in some situations than others. Proving that you are disabled by reflex sympathetic dystrophy can be challenging for two reasons: the condition isn’t listed in the Social Security Blue Book and there’s no clear, objective test for pain.
Working with an experienced disability benefits advocate from the beginning can help you avoid common mistakes and ensure that you are providing the type of evidence the SSA will be looking for.
What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a painful condition that occurs when the sympathetic nervous system responds abnormally. The condition is also known as complex regional pain syndrome. Common symptoms include:
Burning or aching pain in extremities
Skin sensitivity
Changes in skin, hair, and fingernails
Stiffness and/or muscle spasms
RSDS can be triggered by a heart attack, stroke, surgery, or other trauma to the body.
SSD Eligibility for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
Though RSDS isn’t specifically listed in the Social Security Blue Book, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does provide guidance on how to evaluate the condition. To establish the presence of the condition, the applicant must show a history of persistent complaints of pain that is out of proportion to other documented causes, along with at least one of the following:
Swelling in the affected area
Changes in skin color, texture, temperature, presence of gooseflesh or other autonomic instability in the affected area
Abnormal hair and/or nail growth
Osteoporosis
Involuntary movements in the affected area
Of course, once the presence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is established, the applicant must still demonstrate that the condition prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity. That can be a challenge, since pain is subjective and information about it relies in large part on reports from the applicant.
An experienced disability benefits advocate can explain what types of evidence are most effective in establishing a claim for a condition like RSDS that does not have clear objective measures of impairment. To learn more, call Disability Help Group today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
Like most medical injuries and conditions, amputations may or may not qualify a worker for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. The determination will hinge on:
Whether the applicant has collected sufficient work credits, including sufficient recent work credits, and
Whether the applicant is considered disabled under the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition
The number of work credits and recent work credits required depends on the age at which the disability began.
When Does Amputation Meet the SSA Definition of Disability?
There are two ways to meet the SSA standard for disability. The first is to meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Blue Book. Amputations are covered by section 1.20 of the Blue Book. A person may be deemed disabled due to amputations in any of the following four situations:
Amputation of both upper extremities at or above the wrist, OR
Hemi-pelvectomy or hip disarticulation, OR
Amputation of one upper extremity at or above the wrist AND amputation of one lower extremity at or above the ankle, but only if one of the following applies:
Need for a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled or seated mobility device involving the use of both hands, OR
Need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand, OR
Inability to use the remaining upper extremity to perform work involving fine and gross motor movements, OR
Amputation of one or both lower extremities at or above the ankle with complications of the residual limb lasting at least 12 months AND
Inability to use prosthetics, AND
Need for a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled or seated mobility device involving the use of both hands
The second way to qualify is to show that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity through a grid evaluation that takes into account your age, work experience, and educational level. For example, if your ability to do physical labor is limited, you will be more likely to be considered disabled if you are older and you don’t have skills from past work experience that are transferable to lighter work. On the other hand, if you’re younger and have education or skilled work experience that could be transferred to roles you are physically able to perform, you will probably not be considered disabled.
Submit the Strongest SSD Application Possible
Unfortunately, most SSD applications are initially denied. Working with an experienced SSD benefits advocate, whether you’re filing a claim based on amputations or other disabilities, can help ensure that you submit the strongest application possible. If you’ve already been denied, we can help with that, too–but time is limited, so contact us right away. Call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
