Understanding SSDI in Missouri

Before diving into the qualifying conditions, it’s important to know the basics of SSDI:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program for people who are unable to work due to a disability and who have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain number of years. The amount of benefits you receive depends on your work history and earnings.
• You must have a severe disability that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.

General SSDI Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SSDI in Missouri, you must meet the following general criteria:

• You have earned enough work credits (usually by working in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes).
• Your condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Your disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months.

Common Conditions That Qualify for SSDI in Missouri

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, which includes many medical conditions that can qualify you for SSDI benefits. Some of the most common conditions that may qualify for SSDI in Missouri include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: These include conditions such as arthritis, back problems, spinal injuries, and fractures that severely limit your ability to stand, walk, or perform manual tasks. Herniated discs, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease can also qualify.

• Cardiovascular Conditions: Conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, and coronary artery disease may qualify for SSDI if they severely affect your ability to work or perform daily tasks.

• Mental Health Disorders: Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and PTSD can qualify for SSDI if they severely limit your ability to function at work or maintain a daily routine.

• Neurological Disorders: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, stroke or the effects of a stroke, and other neurological conditions can be disabling enough to qualify for SSDI.

• Respiratory Disorders: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema can also qualify if they severely impact your ability to perform physical tasks.

• Cancer: Most types of cancer qualify for SSDI if they limit your ability to work or are expected to last for 12 months or longer. If you have advanced stages of cancer or are undergoing treatments that affect your ability to function, you may be eligible.

• Liver and Kidney Disease: Severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis, or kidney disease requiring dialysis can qualify you for SSDI benefits in Missouri.

• Vision and Hearing Impairments: If you suffer from significant vision loss (such as blindness) or hearing loss (deafness), you may be eligible for SSDI benefits.

• Digestive Disorders: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other severe gastrointestinal conditions can qualify for SSDI if they severely limit your ability to work or perform basic functions.

• Autoimmune Diseases: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases that cause chronic pain and fatigue may also qualify you for SSDI if they prevent you from working.

How the SSA Evaluates Your Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step evaluation process to determine whether you qualify for SSDI benefits. Here’s what you can expect:

• Step 1: Are You Working? The SSA will determine if you are working and earning above a certain income threshold (called substantial gainful activity or SGA). If you are, you may not qualify for SSDI.
• Step 2: Is Your Condition Severe? Your condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work tasks. If your condition doesn’t severely limit your daily activities, you may not qualify.
• Step 3: Is Your Condition Listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments? If your condition is included in the Listing of Impairments, you will be presumed disabled and will typically be approved for SSDI benefits.
• Step 4: Can You Do Your Previous Work? If you can still perform the work you did previously, you may not qualify for SSDI.
• Step 5: Can You Do Other Work? The SSA will determine whether you can perform any other type of work based on your age, education, work experience, and skills. If you cannot perform any other type of work, you may qualify for SSDI.