What are the Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a U.S. government agency that provides social insurance programs that offer financial benefits to retired and disabled people and survivor benefits to eligible candidates.
If you cannot work due to any type of physical disability, here are the signs that might help you know about your disability application to get benefits from the SSA.
What are disability benefits
Disability Benefits come under the Social Security Disability Insurance program. Under this program, insured persons will get social security benefits upon facing injuries or disabilities. A person who is not able to work due to physical injuries can be considered a disabled person.
The program is designed so that the insured person paying regular taxes for Social Security will receive the desired amount every month. The program benefits eligible adults and their family members upon meeting their requirements.
The likelihood of disability varies with age and other factors. In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 people live with a disability. (1) A person is considered disabled under certain criteria set by the Social Security Administration. We will discuss this later in this article.
But how do you know whether you are a disabled person? Let’s check out the eligibility criteria!
What are the Signs That Show You Will Be Approved
Watch the Video to Learn About the Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
Disability Benefits: Eligibility
You will qualify for Social Security disability benefits only if you meet the following criteria set by the Social Security Administration:
- You must be under the full retirement age, which, depending on your birth year, ranges from 66 to 67.
- You must be unable to work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
- The condition must not be short-term or fully reversible.
You must prove your disability by attaching all the required documents and your application. Upon qualifying for the disability benefits, you and your family members will begin receiving the social security benefits.
However, the amount of social security benefits is based on the candidate’s previous work record. The amount you will get as disability benefits will be calculated according to your previous work history.
You can get more information about Disability Benefits under the SSA program from their official website. The tool will help you know about your eligibility.
Social Security Disability Approval Rates by States (2024 Data)
The below-shared table breaks down the Social Security Disability initial & reconsideration approval rate by state 2024.
| State | Total Fully Favorable Decisions (%age) | Total Partially Favorable Decisions (%age) | State Approval Rates (%age) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 88.26% | 11.74% | 71.40% |
| Hawaii | 84.97% | 15.03% | 71.16% |
| North Carolina | 87.72% | 12.28% | 67.38% |
| New Hampshire | 88.29% | 11.71% | 66.11% |
| West Virginia | 88.42% | 11.58% | 64.96% |
| New York | 86.74% | 13.26% | 64.51% |
| New Jersey | 82.21% | 17.79% | 64.50% |
| Puerto Rico | 80.94% | 19.06% | 63.08% |
| Oklahoma | 85.98% | 14.02% | 63.01% |
| North Dakota | 87.16% | 12.84% | 63.84% |
| Alabama | 90.41% | 9.59% | 62.64% |
| Maryland | 82.99% | 17.01% | 62.46% |
| South Carolina | 86.25% | 13.75% | 62.27% |
| Minnesota | 84.69% | 15.31% | 61.33% |
| Massachusetts | 81.17% | 18.83% | 60.80% |
| Tennessee | 86.49% | 13.51% | 60.54% |
| Delaware | 88.00% | 12.00% | 60.48% |
| California | 82.80% | 17.20% | 60.25% |
| Maine | 83.53% | 16.47% | 59.86% |
| Indiana | 85.82% | 14.18% | 59.80% |
| Florida | 87.38% | 12.62% | 59.56% |
| Wisconsin | 81.18% | 18.82% | 59.10% |
| Michigan | 82.41% | 17.59% | 59.08% |
| Mississippi | 89.93% | 10.07% | 58.23% |
| Rhode Island | 88.84% | 11.16% | 57.82% |
| District of Columbia | 81.42% | 18.58% | 57.65% |
| Georgia | 85.46% | 14.54% | 57.54% |
| Kentucky | 86.53% | 13.47% | 57.26% |
| Arizona | 84.35% | 15.65% | 56.98% |
| Ohio | 83.87% | 16.13% | 56.66% |
| Connecticut | 82.15% | 17.85% | 56.17 |
| Montana | 77.30% | 22.70% | 56.06% |
| Washington | 86.29% | 13.71% | 55.09% |
| Pennsylvania | 81.85% | 18.15% | 54.77% |
| Illinois | 82.54% | 17.46% | 54.62% |
| Arkansas | 84.58% | 15.42% | 54.54% |
| Kansas | 87.88% | 12.12 | 54.23% |
| Colorado | 82.27% | 17.73% | 53.65% |
| Texas | 84.21% | 15.79% | 53.51% |
| Iowa | 73.08% | 26.92% | 53.17% |
| Virginia | 80.44% | 19.56% | 53.07% |
| New Mexico | 81.57% | 18.43% | 52.66% |
| Louisiana | 80.43% | 19.57% | 52.62% |
| Missouri | 80.48% | 19.52% | 51.55% |
| Nebraska | 80.99% | 19.01% | 51.49% |
| Nevada | 81.91% | 18.09% | 50.64% |
| Utah | 73.38% | 26.62% | 44.64% |
How do I know if my disability application will be approved
If you are confused about your disability before applying for Social Security disability benefits, here are the signs that you will be approved. If you meet the criteria below, you are likely to be an eligible candidate for receiving them!
1. Severe Health Condition
The Social Security Administration’s definition of disability requires you to show your current medical condition. If the medical condition is severe, you must present all the documents, lab reports, and other essential files to get your disability application approved.
According to SSA guidelines, a person is considered disabled if they cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. If your medical condition prevents you from working, your application will be approved shortly. However, it must meet the SSA criteria.
You will be asked to attach specific reports to help the authority decide your disability. Here’s the list of reports that you should attach to your application.
- X-rays
- Reports of diagnostics
- Medications receipts and prescriptions of the physician
- Medical history (lab tests and other reports)
2. Disability of 12 months or longer
Under the SSA’s definition, eligibility requires an inability to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. A long-term disability is one in which the person can’t do his daily activities for over 12 months.
The timeline for disability benefits application approval does not necessarily shorten based on the permanence of the disability but on the completeness and clarity of the medical evidence provided. Those who became disabled recently need to present their disability reports for the past 12 months.
3. Meet the Blue Book Listing of the Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration has a listing named Blue Book Listing. The listing determines the eligibility of a person’s disability. The listing features hundreds of disabilities and symptoms that may prevent the candidates from doing their daily activities.
A candidate must check the Blue Book Listing to compare his symptoms. If the symptoms match the Blue Book Listing, a person is likely to be considered disabled, and he will start receiving disability benefits upon approval of his application.
4. Followed Your Doctor’s Treatments
The candidate must obey his doctor’s orders to get his application approved.
The Social Security Administration can reject your application if you do not follow your doctor’s orders.
Adhering to prescribed treatments demonstrates compliance with medical advice, a factor in the SSA’s evaluation process.
5. Social Security Disability Lawyer
Working with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer increases the chances of your application being approved.
Social Security Disability Attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, receiving a fee only if your application succeeds, as the SSA regulates.
You should hire an experienced Social Security disability attorney because they have all the information about the laws and other terms and conditions of SSA. Your attorney can help you collect and submit all the essential records and reports for approval.
Conclusion:
If you are filing for a disability benefit, you must understand the procedure and all the other required information. Filing and getting approval for Social Security disability benefits is very frustrating.
Some attorneys can help you file and submit your application and get it approved by the respective judge in court.
Disability Signs FAQs
What are the most common conditions leading to disability approval?
People seek disability approval primarily to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration. The most common reasons for disability approval include musculoskeletal diseases and mental disorders, with a significant portion of disability benefits awarded based on these conditions.(5) Arthritis is a leading cause of disability, affecting millions, but the most common conditions leading to disability approval are musculoskeletal disorders and mental disorders.
How does a person know about his disability?
Disability determination involves assessing whether medical conditions meet the Social Security Administration's criteria. A person who meets the criteria will be called a disabled person. For example, if the severity of your medical condition limits your ability to work, you might be considered a disabled person.
What is the minimum percentage for disability?
Qualification for disability benefits does not depend on a minimum percentage of disability but on whether the condition meets the Social Security Administration's criteria and affects the ability to work. There are no fixed percentage criteria for disability benefits; eligibility is based on the severity of the condition and its impact on one's ability to work.
What are the most common types of physical disabilities in adults?
Adults suffer from different kinds of disabilities. If we talk about the most common types of physical disabilities that adults face:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders
- Cerebral palsy
Can a disabled person get a life insurance policy in the USA?
While disabled individuals can obtain life insurance, they may face different underwriting criteria and possibly higher premiums depending on their condition and the insurance company's policies. It doesn’t disqualify them from getting their life covered. Parents can also insure the life of their disabled child through a life cover policy. There are many other ways to insure a disabled person in the USA, from the federal departments and private entities.
See Also
Free Financial Help for Individuals With Disabilities
Grants for Parents With Disabled Child
Grants for African American Women
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