What Are The Top 10 Disabilities?
According to the law, a person is eligible for disability benefits when they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least a year or is terminal. The impairment must also make them unable to perform any substantial gainful activity.
According to the Social Security Administration’s 2022 Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, the following are the most common disabilities that recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have.
1. Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue make up the biggest percentage of disabilities. According to the report, 34.1% and nearly 2.6 million disability benefit recipients are afflicted with this condition.
Conditions that fall within this listing include:
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal cord disorders
- Degenerative disc disease
- Scoliosis
- Ruptured disc
- Arthritis
These conditions can severely hinder mobility and the ability to work.
2. Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Related Disorders
Major depression, bipolar disorder, depression related to mental illness, and other mood disorders affect 12.7% of recipients. This is nearly one million people. Additionally, many recipients suffer from these disorders in addition to other disabilities, making work extremely challenging.
3. Nervous System and Sense Organs
10% of disability benefit recipients have a disorder related to the nervous system or sense organs. This represents over 760,000 recipients.
Disorders of the nervous system and sense organs include:
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson disease
- Bell’s palsy
- Neuralgia
Brain and spinal cord injuries are also included in this category.
4. Circulatory System Disorders
The circulatory system provides blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the heart to other parts of the body.
Common circulatory system disorders that people with disabilities have include:
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Dysrhythmia
More than 580,000 people, or 7.6 of those receiving disability benefits, have a condition of this nature.
5. Other Mental Disorders
The Social Security Administration’s “other mental disorders” category includes conditions not classified explicitly in other qualifying mental conditions. These make up 4.4% and more than 338,000 cases.
6. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
People with schizophrenia may suffer from symptoms such as:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized speech
- Disorganized or abnormal motor function
Schizophrenia can make it difficult to function normally. They may exhibit signs such as not making eye contact, not changing facial expressions, or neglecting personal hygiene. 4.4% and more than 332,000 recipients have schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder that qualifies them for benefits.
7. Intellectual Disorders
Intellectual disorders limit the ability of people to learn, reason, problem-solve, and adapt. These disorders make up 3.8% and more than 292,000 claims.
8. Injuries
Many SSDI and SSI recipients began receiving benefits after they were injured in car accidents, truck accidents, and other personal injury incidents. 3.7% and more than 287,000 claims involve claims based on injuries.
9. Neoplasms
Neoplasms refer to abnormal growths that form a tumor or lump in the body. 3.5%, and more than 265,000 recipients have this condition.
10. Neurocognitive
More than 225,000 and 3% of people who receive SSDI or SSI benefits suffer from some type of neurocognitive disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys in Lawrenceville for Help Today
If your disability prevents you from working, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. These benefits can help ease the financial burden caused by your conditions. A Lawrenceville personal injury attorney can help file your claim, gather evidence to support your application and support you through each stage of the claims process.
For more information, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyer at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys
320 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 446-3655