SSDI Qualifying Special Senses
and Speech Disabilities

Who Can Apply for Disability Benefits?

The Blue Book covers a long list of disabilities which qualify individuals for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits. SSDI is available to anyone who is unable to provide for themselves due to a disability or disabling condition. These conditions can range anywhere from blindness or hearing loss, to mental disorders and speech impairment.

In some circumstances, it is important to note that a person may qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) as well as SSDI if they are disabled.

When an individual applies for Social Security disability they have to provide proof of their disability, and how and why it inhibits their ability to take part in SGA (Substantial Gainful Activities). When it comes to special senses and speech disorders, the SSA (Social Security Administration) references specifications for these in the Blue Book which help determine whether someone qualifies for SSDI benefits or not.

Definitions of Special Senses and Speech Disabilities

In the Blue Book under Special Senses and Speech, special senses include sight and hearing. There are many complicated special sense disabilities, as well as speech disorders, listed in the Blue Book alongside common ones like hearing loss. These conditions are accompanied by guidelines which help determine if someone affected can qualify for social security disability benefits.

The Blue Book also includes guidelines which help determine if disorders that are related to special senses and speech will qualify a claimant for SSDI. Vertigo is an example of a symptom that may determine a condition is substantially disabling, and therefore qualify a sufferer for SSD (Social Security Disability) benefits. Vertigo can also be a condition all on its own.

There are a variety of disorders that fall under the special senses and speech category in the Blue Book. Listed below are some conditions under that category.

  • Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of Speech
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Hearing Loss
  • Partial Sight
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Vertigo
  • Vision Loss
  • Visual Acuity or Efficiency

There are numerous steps to proving that a disability qualifies a person for SSDI. Below are some specific examples of steps one might have to take when filing a claim under the special senses and speech impairments category.

Vertigo is a condition that the Social Security Administration will investigate closely. The SSA will want to determine things like frequency, severity, and how long a claimant has suffered from the disorder before approving a disability claim. Sometimes, vertigo is a result of another condition entirely, and in those cases the SSA will have to decide if the symptom itself, combined with other effects of the condition, is severe enough to approve a claim.

Under vision disorders, blindness is a common reason people apply for SSDI. If someone is partially blind they will have to undergo a variety of tests to determine how much their disability impacts their life. Qualifying for SSDI under full blindness is often a simpler process than qualifying with partial blindness.

Speech loss is another condition which qualifies most applicants for SSDI. However, the Social Security Administration will try to determine whether or not a claimant could benefit from equipment that helps improve their speech or artificially articulate speech before approving a disability claim.

If a claimant applies for SSDI under the category of hearing loss, the SSA will often require various tests to determine how severe their condition is.

SSDI and SSI Lawyer in Stockton, CA

At Peña & Bromberg, our team has years of experience getting individuals the SSDI benefits they deserve. Individuals who are disabled and have not been able to work enough to qualify for social security disability benefits may qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income).

Applying for SSDI or SSI is difficult, and most initial claims are denied. Hiring a social security disability attorney who has experience working with the Social Security Administration will make getting your claim approved much faster and easier.

Contact Peña & Bromberg today, your reliable SSD and SSI lawyers in Stockton, Fresno, and Bakersfield, California.

Contact Us Today!

Get Experienced Representation

Fill out the contact form to schedule your free consultation