What are my options for SSDI if I don't meet an exact listing?

SSDI or social security disability insurance is a social welfare program designed to make sure that qualified workers continue to earn an income if they become disabled and unable to work. if you have paid into the social security system for the required amount of time (which is based on your age and the number of years you've worked at the time of the injury), then you may be eligible if you have a covered disability. The trick is proving that your disability should be covered.

The social security administration has a list of covered disabilities in a Blue Book listing of impairments. The purpose of this list is to act as a shortcut- in other words, those who have a disability on the list are able to apply more easily because the SSA recognizes that those with such illness or injuries tend to be disabled enough that they cannot work. However, this does not mean that if your particular illness or injury isn't listed that you cannot recover.

If you wish to recover for a disability that is not listed in the blue book listing of impairments, you'll need to prove your disability is medically equivalent. This means it must be equally impairing and render you unable to work or to perform daily functions, just like covered disabilities do. Your disability must also be expected to be long term (12 months in duration or more) or fatal, as the SSA does not cover any short term disabilities.

To get help proving your disability is the equivalent to one covered by the SSA, it is a good idea to consult with a lawyer for advice.