Living with one chronic condition is difficult, but dealing with several at once can feel insurmountable. One ailment alone may not prevent you from working, but the cumulative effects of several may make it impossible to maintain a job. Our Social Security disability attorneys provide experienced support to help you navigate the federal system during this challenging time.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) must consider the combined effect of all your impairments to evaluate your claim. Multiple disabilities and Michigan SSDI claims mean that even if no single condition meets a specific medical listing, the impact of your combined disabilities may lead to a successful outcome. At Thurswell Law, we can help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a viable case.
Understanding SSDI and Benefits
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must meet two main requirements: a work test and a disability test. The work test ensures you have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. The disability test proves that your medical conditions are severe enough to prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity. If you have multiple conditions, you must show how, taken together, they meet both the work and disability criteria for your application.
Once approved, the benefits go beyond just a monthly check. SSDI recipients are eventually eligible for Medicare, which provides a vital lifeline for those who lost their employer-sponsored health insurance because their condition prevents them from working. At Thurswell Law, our lawyers document all your conditions from the start so that your benefit amount accurately reflects your situation. We understand that these monthly payments are essential for your survival and peace of mind.
Your average lifetime earnings determine your monthly benefit amount. In Michigan, if your complex needs forced you into lower-paying light-duty work before you had to stop entirely, it could impact your federal benefit calculation. We carefully examine your Social Security earnings records to ensure accuracy, so you can receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to.
How Does Having Multiple Disabilities Impact an SSDI Claim?
When the government evaluates a disability claim, it typically looks for a single primary diagnosis. However, many applicants suffer from multiple conditions simultaneously. The law mandates that state medical examiners assess the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms. If your combination of ailments prevents you from performing even simple, sedentary work, you may qualify for benefits.
If your conditions do not perfectly align with a predefined medical listing, the SSA will determine your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). This assessment measures the maximum activity you can still do despite your limitations. When you have multiple disabilities, your RFC is often significantly lower than that of someone with only one issue.
For instance, a person with a respiratory issue may be able to sit at a desk, but if they also have severe arthritis in their hands due to years of labor or a slip-and-fall, they may be unable to type or handle paperwork. Our team is well-versed in challenging the government’s assessment of your functional capacity.
Our Michigan SSDI lawyers at Thurswell Law could demonstrate how your concurrent impairments overlap to support your total disability application. We work to ensure that the SSA considers the secondary conditions that make your primary diagnosis much harder to manage.
Consult a Michigan SSDI Attorney for Help With Multiple Impairment Benefits
Proving a claim based on a combination of illnesses requires a high level of legal skill and meticulous attention to detail. If you are struggling with multiple disabilities and Michigan SSDI requirements, you do not have to face the SSA process alone.
At Thurswell Law, our attorneys understand the nuances of how the government evaluates combined impairments and know how to effectively communicate those limitations to an administrative law judge. Take control of your benefits and contact Thurswell Law for your free case consultation today.
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