Aneurysm While In Hospital: Can I Get SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured.”  Being “insured” means having worked long enough and having paid Social Security taxes.   Being partially disabled or having a short-term disability does not qualify you for SSDI.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) has the final say on whether they consider you to be eligible for SSDI or not.  There are specific criteria SSA will use to determine whether you can receive SSDI or not.

Criteria Used to Determine Whether You Will Receive SSDI or Not

• You cannot do the work that you did before your injury or condition.
• You cannot adjust to other work because of your injury or condition.
• Your injury or condition has lasted or will last at least a year or will lead to your death.

It’s important to note that all 3 conditions must be met in order for you to be considered “disabled” and eligible for SSDI.

Applying for SSDI If You’ve Been in the Hospital Due to an Aneurysm

To be approved for SSDI if you’ve suffered an aneurysm and have been in a hospital, you’ll have to have worked for at least 5 of the past 10 years and accumulated what Social Security calls “20 credits.”  You receive 4 credits per year if you make at least $1,700 per year either as an employee or as a self-employed person.  Additionally, you will not be able to work for 12 months or more in order to receive benefits.  Dependent children may be able to receive dependent benefits as well.

You need copies of every document related to your case in order to successfully receive SSDI benefits.  This includes the following reports:

• Diagnosis
• Clinical
• Operative
• Post operative
• Radiology
• Lab
• Other relevant reports

It is your right by law to request your records.  You will have to provide the following information when requesting your records:  

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Dates of treatment
• Doctor’s name (all names if you had more than 1 doctor)
• Other relevant information
• Specific reports you are requesting copies of. 

It usually takes some time to receive all of the reports you need, but it’s important to have them for your SSDI claim forms.  You should make additional copies of each report. 

When you contact the SSA, they will want to make time for an interview.  It may be done by telephone.  You (and/or the person assisting you) need to know everything about your employment and benefits, including wages, sick leave, etc.  You will receive two important forms to fill out, “Disability Report-Adult-Form SSA-3368-BK” and “Daily Activities and Symptoms Report.  The first report essentially is about the doctors and hospitals where you received medical care for your aneurysm, along with your medical records.  The second report essentially is about your daily activities and the symptoms you are experiencing from your aneurysm, which will be used to determine whether you are eligible for SSDI.

Attaining Legal Help

Obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a very tiring and complicated process.  An established and experienced SSDI attorney will know what SSDI laws apply to your situation and present the strongest case possible in order for you to be approved to receive SSDI benefits for your aneurysm.