OTHER AMPUTATIONS THAT QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY
There are many people who have amputations that don’t meet listing 1.02. For example, you may have lost your dominant hand, your fingers, or your foot. If you have one of these amputations then you may still be able to win benefits. The way you can win benefits is by using your residual functional capacity (RFC) to argue that you cannot work a 40 hour a week job.
The RFC is the medical understanding of what you can physically do in a work setting. It is the definition of your functional limits after taking into account all of your medical conditions.
Your RFC includes both your physical and mental limits. In terms of physical limits, the SSA tries to define your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift, during the course of an 8 hour workday. Likewise, the SSA will include your ability to carry, pull, and push. In addition, the SSA will take into account any mental conditions you have. For example, if you have anxiety, then it can impair your memory. It can also impair your ability to concentrate. Find out more about how the SSA defines work.
EXAMPLES OF HOW AMPUTATION IMPACTS YOUR RFC
You know, for example, that if you have a leg amputation, you have trouble climbing stairs, walking on uneven surfaces, and standing. It also impacts your ability to crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, and climb ladders. If you have lost an arm, for example, you have trouble writing, typing, and holding small objects. You will probably also have trouble lifting objects. All of these conditions impact your RFC. Similar problems can occur when you have a bone fracture that does not heal.
In order to figure out your physical RFC, the SSA will examine your medical records. They will take into account what your doctor states in your medical records. Also, the SSA will review any statements from your doctors and from the SSA’s own doctors.
The SSA will also consider statements about your limits from your family, neighbors and friends. For example, your family or friends can write about the effects of your mental and physical symptoms. Find out more here about RFC and how it along with age to keep you from work. Also, find out more about SSA’s Medical Vocational Guidelines. If you cannot meet or equal listing 1.02, then you can use your RFC to show that you cannot work.
PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR SSI
If you’re filing for SSI benefits, then in order to qualify you must have low income and few assets. If you have two limbs amputated or one leg amputated at the hip, then the SSA will grant you “presumptive disability benefits” when you apply for SSI.
The SSA will start your monthly payments right away, even before they make a finding that you are disabled. After six months of getting benefits, however, the SSA will need to find you disabled in order for you to continue getting SSI benefits.
If the SSA decides you deserve benefits, then your benefits continue. However, if the SSA grants you presumptive benefits, but later finds you don’t qualify, then you won’t have to repay the presumptive payments.
VETERANS CAN BE AWARDED SSD BENEFITS FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED AMPUTATIONS
Veteran’s disability benefits are paid out by the Veteran’s Administration. Obviously, Veteran’s benefits are not given out by the Social Security Administration. However, many Veterans, particularly those in recent wars, have amputations. You need to know that you can apply for benefits through the VA if you have an amputation.
The VA awards disability benefits on a rating system. Each amputation can be a unique rating for the veteran. Because of this, the VA offers specific ratings based on the degree and location of each amputation. For example, you can receive a rating for the amputation of a finger and you can also receive another rating for amputation of a leg.
The VA awards disability benefits for each amputation that is service connected. This means that your amputation must have occurred from an injury while you were in service. Learn more about Veteran’s benefits.
The VA rating system shows the impact of amputation on the ability to work. Additionally, many amputations also qualify for what is known as Special Monthly Compensation. Learn more about the VA’s Special Monthly Compensation rates.
THE LAWYERS AND STAFF AT OUR LAW FIRM CAN HELP
You are seeking a lawyer to represent you in your SSD case. And, you need an attorney you can trust. If you want to learn more about the lawyers and staff at Cannon Disability Law, then read our About Us page. There you will find more information about each of our lawyers. For example, Andria Summers can help you with your Medicare plan. Likewise, she has also won thousands of Social Security cases.
Dianna Cannon also has many years of experience helping her clients in court. She has been an attorney for thirty years. During that time, she has won thousands of Social Security hearings. She has also won many cases on appeal to Federal Court. Ms. Cannon also has licenses in a number of states. For example, she has law licenses in California, Utah, Nevada, and Washington State.
Additionally, Brett Bunkall has experience helping people obtain their SSI and SSD benefits. Also, he has a license to practice law from the Idaho State Bar Association. Find out more about SSDI and SSI benefits in Idaho. Similarly, all of our attorneys are legal experts. You can trust us to help you win SSDI and SSI benefits if you are struggling to work due to an amputation.
WE CAN HELP YOU WIN AMPUTATION DISABILITY BENEFITS
There are many important issues that play a role in whether you receive benefits for your amputation. You need a lawyer who understands those issues. Our law firm wants to be your legal team. Hire us for our experience. Over the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI claims. It isn’t an easy task to win. But, we have the legal experience for the job.
Another important factor to consider when hiring an attorney is cost. Anyone can hire us, because you do not pay an attorney fee until we win your case. If we win, then the attorney fee comes out of your back benefit. If we do not win your case, then there is no attorney fee for you to pay. Learn more about attorney fees in SSD cases.
Contact us today. Take advantage of our free review of your case. Call and we will answer your questions. You can explain why your medical condition prevents you from working. We will be able to tell you if you qualify for benefits, because we are experts in SSI and SSD benefits. And, we will do our best to win your Social Security benefits.
Call today. When you call, tell us what symptoms you are experiencing from your amputation. Explain if you have trouble wearing a prosthesis. Also, be ready to tell us about your doctors. We also want to know if you are getting treatment for mental conditions, like depression. Find out now if we can help you obtain SSDI and SSI benefits for your amputation. Contact us for a free review of your case.
EVERY DAY YOU WAIT TO APPLY IS A DAY YOU LOSE MONEY
We have won over $100 million in future and past due SSD benefits for our clients. You can only be paid SSD benefits after years of hard work and paying your taxes. Therefore, SSD benefits are not welfare.
When you work and pay taxes, the SSA puts aside benefits for you. They do this in case you experience a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working. For example, if you have a work accident, lose a limb and can no longer work, SSD benefits are there for you.
However, your benefits are tied to the day you apply. SSD benefits have a five month waiting period before benefits begin. The waiting period applies to everyone. And, it doesn’t start until you file your SSD application. SSI benefits, on the other hand, don’t begin until the date of your application.
Past due SSD benefits can pay out one year prior to the date of application. You can receive past due benefits, as long as you were not working due to your medical condition. However, if you file for SSI benefits, then SSI benefits begin on the day you apply. This is true even if your severe medical condition began prior to that date. Therefore, every day you wait to apply is a day you are losing SSDI and SSI benefits.
We know you need benefits to replace your income. Over the past 30 years, we have won thousands of SSD and SSI cases. We want to win your case too. Contact us today for your free review of your case. Let us help you win SSDI and SSI benefits for amputation.
