Alester Brown

What is Considered a Disability?

Many physiological and physical conditions fall under the umbrella of disabilities. Disabilities counseling can benefit anyone who experiences life-altering changes that prevent them from working or living a "normal" life. Through counseling, you can learn to manage your disability and maintain good mental health.

Disability Programs

Two major disability programs provide financial assistance. These programs can cover the cost of care. They include Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

SSI

Most people who qualify for SSI are people 65 and older. The program's primary goal is to help income-limited individuals, regardless of whether they have a disability. However, you don't have to be 65 to get benefits. If you are blind or have a disability, you can qualify for SSI.

This program is needs-based. You must be income-limited or lack resources to get care. For disability coverage, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers people 18 and older with a mental or physical disability. Your disability must also result in the inability to do "substantial" gainful activity. You can also qualify if your disability is expected to last more than 12 months or may result in death.

SSDI

This program is stricter than SSI because the SSA has standards on what it covers and doesn't. To qualify, you must also have enough work credit. Typically, that number is 40. How many credits you can earn per year depends on your total wages. The maximum number of credits you can earn per year is four, which equates to at least $6,560 of annual pay in 2023.

What Does the SSA Consider a Disability?

Getting assistance through these programs for disabilities counseling requires you to get approval through the SSA. The SSA has 14 distinct categories to organize what may qualify as a disability. These include:

• Mental conditions
• Immune system disorders
• Cancer
• Neurological disorders
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Speech and special senses
• Digestive system disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Hematological disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Genitourinary disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Congenital disorders

The SSA uses these broad groups to categorize disabilities, but the organization also lists specific impairments that qualify for program coverage.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at depression support blog.