We all want to be in great shape for as long as possible. Unfortunately, some people develop disabling conditions at some point in their lives that prevent them from being able to work and care for themselves and their families. This is where Social Security Agency (SSA) comes in to provide financial relief to qualified individuals.
One of the disabling conditions that can qualify you for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is Parkinson’s disease. This is an age-related degenerative disease that affects the brain, causing more severe symptoms as the disease progresses. Besides the brain, this disease also affects the individual’s muscle control, senses as well as other vital functions.
Eligibility for SSD benefits when you have Parkinson’s disease
To qualify for SSD benefits, you will need to prove that your symptoms are severe and that you can no longer work.
When your ability to work is impacted by the progression of Parkinson’s disease, the SSA may offer the following options:
Qualifying if your condition meets the medical listing
One way to qualify for SSD benefits is to satisfy Section 11.06 of the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Impairments. Under this section, you may qualify for the benefits if any of the following applies to your case:
- Your condition is so severe that it limits your ability to stand from a seated position, use your upper extremities or balance while walking or standing
- Your condition is preventing you from remembering, understanding, managing yourself or interacting with other people.
Qualifying because you can no longer work
Even if your symptoms do not satisfy Section 11.06, you can still qualify for SSD benefits under the following circumstances:
- If your condition is preventing you from performing simple, work-related tasks
- If your condition is equivalent in severity to other conditions listed in the Blue Book.
SSD benefits can offer invaluable relief when you are no longer able to work due to a disabling condition. Find out how you can boost your odds of filing a successful disability benefits claim.