Houston Social Security Disability Law Blog

When a Texas resident becomes unable to work their income may come to a stop. However, that does not mean that their mortgage, bills and other financial obligations will also cease. It is when a person lacks the capacity to work and their expenses begin to mount that they may run into significant financial hardship.

Readers of this blog know that the Social Security Administration offers different programs that assist men, women and children who cannot work with getting benefits and financial help when they suffer from qualifying injuries and illnesses. In some cases, though, individuals who apply and qualify for benefits have to wait long periods of time in order to start receiving the help they need.

For those with a disability, the Social Security Disability program may be the only financial lifeline available. Whether a disability is related to an injury or an illness, it generally precludes someone from working a job. In some cases, disabilities can even prevent people from providing for themselves when it comes to daily care, such as eating, getting dressed or taking a shower.

Social Security Disability provides a small amount of income and access to health benefits that can offset the financial implications of a disabling condition. These benefits may be the only source of income and protection for many people with medical disabilities. Unfortunately, backlogs for processing applications for benefits have now reached two years or longer in some areas.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are two forms of disability benefits that individuals may apply for through the Social Security Administration. Texans who are unable to work because of illnesses or injuries that prevent them from working may be able to apply for and receive financial support under these two programs. However, a disability is not the only way that a person may qualify for SSI.

If a person's financial limitations meet the conditions of the SSI program qualifications and they are at least 65 years of age they may also be able to pursue support in this way. Adults under the age of 65 must be considered blind or affected by a qualifying disability in order to apply for this form of financial assistance.

Both physical impairments and mental impairments can seriously affect the lives of Houston residents. Both can be debilitating, and both could make it impossible for a worker to work. Social Security Disability (SSD) can help workers living with physical disability, mental disability or both. When a claimant applies for Social Security Disability benefits for mental conditions, how does the Social Security Administration (SSA) determine whether the claimant is eligible for benefits?

The SSA lists mental disorders into 11 categories, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders, intellectual disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, personality and impulse-control disorders and others. For most mental disorders, there are three groups of criteria, two of which must be satisfied for the government to award SSD benefits. The first group of criteria, the medical criteria, must be satisfied to get benefits.