If you are unable to work as you once did, after paying into the Social Security system for years, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. If you qualify, there is no need to think of it as “welfare” or a government handout. SSDI is a safety net not unlike private disability insurance, but it is mandatory and run by the government.
Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits may seem straightforward in the case of a newly paralyzed car accidentvictim or a cancer patient with a fatal prognosis. Your application for SSDI in such a case may be successful if your case is clear cut. On the other hand, a more difficult case may require an appeal. If you claim disability on the basis of chronic pain or a mental illness type of disability, you can perhaps expect closer scrutiny and more of an uphill battle.
Disabilities recognized by the Social Security Administration are classified under the following categories:
- Musculoskeletal
- Special senses and speech
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Digestive system
- Genitourinary impairments
- Hematological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Impairments that affect multiple body systems
- Neurological
- Mental disorders
- Malignant neoplastic diseases
- Immune system disorders
Contact Us for New Mexico Social Security Disability Information
To verify that you are disabled, you will need testimony from appropriate medical or nonmedical professionals such as doctors, psychologists, optometrists, podiatrists or speech-language pathologists. Davis Acuña Law Firm recommends that you consult with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer if your initial application has been denied. Our Albuquerque Social Security disability attorneys are experienced at helping claimants make successful appeals in SSD administrative hearings. Contact us by phone or e-mail to schedule a meeting with a lawyer at no charge.