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What Are the Most Common Disabilities?
Millions of Americans suffer from serious disabilities that make them unable to engage in substantially gainful work activities. In fact, in 2019, over 9 million people were receiving social security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Social Security Income (SSI) programs. These federal programs provide financial benefits to individuals with qualifying disabilities. The SSA uses a medical guide called the Blue Book to evaluate whether an applicant’s medical condition qualifies for disability benefits. If you have a serious medical condition, contact a Baltimore SSI lawyer at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin today for a free consultation. Our firm has decades of experience handling disability cases.
Most Common Disabilities
According to the SSA’s Annual Statistical Report (Annual Report) for 2019, the top two most common disabilities are mental disorders and musculoskeletal systems/connective tissue disabilities.
Mental Disorders
According to the Annual Report, mental disorders made up approximately 34.5% of the total amount of people receiving benefits. Mental disorders can include:
- Autistics disorders
- Developmental disorders
- Childhood and adolescent disorders
- Intellectual disability
- Mood disorders including PTSD, anxiety and depression
- Organic mental disorders
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Other
Mental disorders can seriously affect someone’s ability to work.
Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Disabilities
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders made up 29.9% of people receiving Social Security disability benefits in 2019.
The musculoskeletal system connects your bones and helps you move. Without a healthy musculoskeletal system, basic life functions such as sitting, standing, or walking can be challenging, making working difficult, if not impossible.
Examples of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders include, but are not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative disc disease
A Baltimore SSI Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one have one of these common disabilities, contact a Baltimore SSI lawyer at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin today for help evaluating your case to determine if you may qualify for benefits. The process for applying for Social Security disability benefits is complicated, and many claims are denied initially. A Baltimore SSI lawyer can help you with the disability application process by helping you support your application with sufficient medical documentation to prove to the SSA that you are, in fact, disabled and unable to perform a substantial gainful activity. Additionally, a Baltimore SSI lawyer can help present evidence on your behalf at a Social Security disability hearing, if necessary. Our firm is here to fight for you so you can focus on your health.
Contact a Baltimore SSI Lawyer Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Do you have a medical disability? If so, contact a Baltimore SSI lawyer at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin today for help with your disability application. You can call our office at 443-839-0818 or complete our online form. We can answer the questions you have about your federal disability benefits. We work with clients throughout Maryland and surrounding states.