Filing a Long Term Disability Claim for Sensory Disability

Most people who are filing a claim for benefits based on a long term disability arising from a sensory disability are filing an application for benefits with a Social Security administered program such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance program.  The disability eligibility requirements are the same but the basic program eligibility requirements are different in each program.  The disability eligibility requirements in both programs are different in terms of evaluating a disability claim for an adult and for a child.  The adult’s sensory disability claim will be evaluated by the Disability Determination Service of the Social Security concerning the level of severity as it affects the adult’s ability to engage in gainful employment and the child’s sensory disability will be evaluated concerning his ability to perform daily functioning tasks in comparison with other non-disabled children of that same age.

Recognized Social Security Sensory Disabilities

The Social Security administration recognizes certain disabilities contained on List A for an adult and List B for disabled children under the general category entitled “Special Senses and Speech.”  The basic list of recognized sensory disabilities includes vision, hearing and speech disorders but can include other related disorders such as disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function or “Meniere’s Disease” which often presents with a history of attacks of balance disturbance, tinnitus and involves a progressive loss of hearing.   

Proving Severity Level of Sensory Disability

In order to be approved for benefits an applicant must be able to prove (1) the existence or the diagnosis of the sensory disability by a recognized physician and (2) the level of the severity of the sensory disability as impacting on an ability to work or engage in daily function activities by submitting medical records and documentation and all relevant sensory evaluation testing results for evaluation by the Disability Determination Service of the Social Security administration in order to be approved for benefits.   

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with a sensory disability and is interested in submitting an application for benefits with a Social Security administered program it may be helpful to discuss the circumstances of the disability, the program application and the program requirements to evidence the type of sensory disability at issue with a disability lawyer.  An attorney can provide important guidance through the application process, through the disability determination process and if necessary through the appeal process and speed up the long process of becoming approved for benefits.