Can Stroke Victims Apply For Social Security Disability?

Strokes are caused by a blood vessel either being blocked or rupturing in the brain. Either of these occurrences result in a dramatic reduction of blood flow to the brain, often causing serious injury. Although many people can recover from a stroke, others suffer lifelong impairment and may have significant difficulty with their vision, communication or mobility.

Fortunately, if you have suffered major and lasting injury from a stroke, you might qualify for social security disability benefits. Read on to learn more, and consider contacting a social security disability lawyer, like Disparti Law Group, if you need further help.

Who Qualifies?

Those who have experienced a stroke can qualify for disability benefits if they meet the following criteria:

• They earn $1,040 or less per month
• Their disability can be classified as severe, meaning that it affects their ability to perform their job duties to at least some degree
• They have suffered, or are expected to suffer, disability from their stroke for at least 12 months

If you meet all of the above requirements, you can be considered for disability benefits for your stroke. Meeting these criteria doesn’t automatically mean you will receive benefits, however. There are still a couple more steps that you must take to prove your eligibility.

Meeting the Listing of Impairments

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that people seeking benefits show that their disability matches one of the conditions in their list of qualifying impairments. If your stroke can be categorized under one of these conditions, you will automatically be approved for benefits. Strokes can qualify under two separate listings:

• Listing 11.04: Central Nervous System Vascular Accidents. To qualify under this listing, for more than three months after your stroke, you must have suffered from at least one of the following: partial or complete paralysis or uncontrollable movement of at least two limbs, resulting in difficulty walking or using your hands; difficulty communicating verbally or in writing, remembering familiar things or understanding what people are saying.
• Listing 2.00: Special Senses and Speech.

Remember that you only have to meet one of the requirements to qualify for each listing. Talking with your doctor and a social security disability attorney can help you determine whether or not you meet these fairly complex listing requirements.

What if I Don’t Qualify?

If you don’t meet the requirements of either listing, you can still receive benefits with a Residual Functional Capacity assessment. If this assessment shows that you are no longer able to do your job because of your stroke, and can’t reasonably be expected to get a different job, you can still qualify for benefits.

Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer

Disability claims are complex and nuanced, so reaching out to a qualified social security disability lawyer can often mean the difference between getting approved and getting denied benefits. At Disparti Law Group, we can help ensure that your disability claim is taken seriously and that you receive the benefits you deserve, today.