Noteboom The Law Firm

Those With Rare Diseases May Have Difficulty Obtaining SSA Benefits

You are probably familiar with most of the diseases that are covered by Social Security disability, but some of the conditions that are covered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are particularly rare and unknown to many people.

In an effort to raise awareness of lesser-known, but equally debilitating, diseases that afflict Americans, February 28 has been designated Rare Disease Day. The day serves as an opportunity for people to learn a bit about the little-known conditions that affect 1000s of people.

According to Rarediseaseday.org, the day exists to educate the public about medical conditions that affect no more than 200,000 Americans. Some of the most well-known yet rare conditions include Lou Gehrig's disease, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome, to name a few.

Though such conditions can be covered by the SSA, often it takes longer to get approved for disability benefits because most rare diseases do not appear on the SSA's Listing of Impairments. Additionally, rare diseases are more difficult for doctors to diagnose and it may take years to collect sufficient medical documentation to be able to prove the disability.

These factors do not mean that rare disease will not be covered, but typically it takes more effort to get benefits since SSA employees are not as familiar with the rare diseases. Therefore, they could mistakenly declare someone able to work simply because not much information is available about the disease's effects.

If you suffer from a rare disease and want help obtaining benefits, contact a lawyer to get started.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.