Social Security Disability (SSD) was designed to help people who prematurely lose their capacity to work due to physical or mental disabilities. Unfortunately, getting approved for disability benefits can be challenging, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies nearly two-thirds of initial SSD applications.
If you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits in South Carolina, you may be feeling frustrated, stressed-out, and anxious about the future. It’s important to understand, though, that a denial of disability benefits isn’t the final word on your case. Working with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can make an enormous difference in the outcome of future appeals.
What Types of Disabilities Do SSD Benefits Cover?
Social Security Disability pays monthly benefits for a wide range of disabling conditions. The key elements of a disabling illness in the SSA’s eyes are that it must be a “medically determinable” impairment and severe enough to prevent you from working.
Examples of conditions that commonly lead to disability claims include:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as back and neck injuries
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Sensory and speech issues, such as vision and hearing loss
- Respiratory illnesses, such as COPD or asthma
- Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, and ALS
- Immune system disorders, such as HIV/AIDS, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Skin disorders, such as dermatitis and psoriasis
- Digestive tract problems, such as IBD or Crohn’s disease
- Kidney disease and genitourinary or bladder issues
- Blood and bone marrow disorders
- Cancer
As with many government programs, the SSA can take a long time to process benefits applications, and the paperwork involved can be time-consuming and complex. Without the professional help of an attorney, you’re much more likely to make a mistake, and even a minor error can result in benefits being delayed or denied. Working with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer like David L. Hood could be the best way to keep your case on track and make sure every aspect of the process gets taken care of throughout the long process of an SSD claim.
Will Social Security Cover My Mental Disability?
Social Security Disability benefits do apply to both mental and physical disabilities in South Carolina, but disability claims that involve mental illnesses tend to receive more scrutiny, and getting your benefits may require more than just your physician declaring you disabled.
Examples of common mental illnesses that may be covered by Social Security Disability include:
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
- Intellectual development disorders
Because the SSA treats mental-health-related Social Security Disability claims with extra skepticism, it’s even more important to work with an experienced attorney who can gather the relevant medical documentation, fill out all the paperwork correctly, and argue on your behalf during the appeals process.
Contact David L. Hood for Social Security Disability Representation in North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, and Throughout South Carolina
There’s no reason to go it alone during the long, complex process of a Social Security Disability claim. The Law Offices of David L. Hood has years of experience handling SSD benefits claims for disabled individuals in South Carolina, and we can assist you in gathering and organizing the crucial information that may ultimately help win your case. We handle all cases on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case or negotiate a successful settlement.*
To schedule your free consultation today, call our offices at (843) 491-6025 or fill out our brief online contact form and we’ll follow up with you promptly.
*Clients are not liable for any expenses, unless there is a recovery in their case; however, if there is a recovery in their case, clients will be liable for expenses. Attorney’s fees are based on a percentage of the recovery, which will be computed before deducting expenses.