Many people believe that they’re only allowed to mention one disability on their Social Security Disability benefits application, but this simply isn’t true. If you have more than one condition, it’s smart to list all of them. By doing so, you may have a better chance of being approved for benefits.
Below, our Social Security Disability lawyers in New York explain what to know about applying for SSDI with secondary conditions.
Can You Claim New York Social Security Disability Benefits With Multiple Disabilities?
The good news is that you are not limited to listing just one disability on your application. You can list two, three, or as many conditions as you have. The SSA considers your application as a whole, which includes determining how your disabilities interact.
What does this mean for you? Essentially, if you don’t qualify for benefits with one condition, you may be able to qualify by listing more than one. Thus, you should list all conditions, both physical and mental, even if you think they are too minor to mention.
Does Having Multiple Conditions Increase Your Benefits?
It’s a common misconception that having multiple disabilities will increase your benefits amount. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. SSDI payments are largely based on your work history, not how many conditions you have.
How Do You Qualify for Benefits With Multiple Disabilities?
There are a couple of ways to qualify for benefits if you have multiple conditions. The first is to meet a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book, and the second is to undergo a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment.
Meet a Listing in the SSA Blue Book
The SSA Blue Book is the gold standard for qualifying for benefits. It lists qualifying criteria for a range of conditions, such as:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Respiratory conditions
- Cardiovascular impairments
- Mental disorders
- Cancer
If you meet a listing’s criteria, you automatically qualify for benefits. For example, suppose that you suffered a brain injury. You would qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you met any of these criteria:
- Motor or sensory aphasia resulting in impaired speech for at least three months
- A lack of motor function in two extremities causing extreme difficulty standing or walking
- Severe trouble concentrating, interacting with others, remembering information, or managing your needs
The trouble is that not all conditions fit into a neat box, which means you might not be able to meet all the criteria for any specific condition in the Blue Book. Does that mean you can’t claim benefits? Not necessarily.
The SSA allows you to “equal” a Blue Book listing with more than one condition. Combined effects of your conditions have to be “medically equivalent” to one of the listings in the Blue Book to qualify for benefits this way.
For example, suppose you meet some of the criteria for a respiratory condition, but not all. You have another condition that makes your respiratory condition worse, such as a circulatory or inflammatory issue. You could combine these conditions to equal a Blue Book listing, thus qualifying for benefits.
Complete a Residual Functional Capacity Assessment
What can you do if your conditions, even when combined, don’t meet the criteria for a Blue Book listing? This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t claim benefits. Your other option is to undergo a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. If approved for benefits this way, it’s called a medical-vocational allowance.
An RGC assessment must be performed by your doctor. The assessment reviews how your disabilities affect your ability to work. Your doctor will consider what type of work you can handle (if any), ranging from sedentary work to very heavy work.
The assessment looks for limitations in:
- Speech, seeing, or hearing
- Balancing, reaching, bending, and stooping
- Walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and carrying
- Social restrictions, such as interacting with the public and co-workers
- Restrictions in your ability to make judgments and follow instructions
- Environmental restrictions, such as exposure to fumes, vibrations, and extreme temperatures
In addition to the medical evidence your doctor finds, the SSA will consider your age, experience, and work history when determining what type of work you can do. For example, even if you are physically able to work a desk job in an office, you may not have the skills to do so if you’ve worked in construction for your entire life.
The SSA heavily factors age into your ability to perform other work. If you’re over age 60, the SSA may not expect you to be able to retrain for a job in another industry. But if you’re 25, the SSA will probably determine that you’re capable of retraining, and in turn, deny you benefits.
How Does the SSA Determine SSDI Eligibility?
The SSA follows a five-step process to determine if you’re eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. It will ask:
- Are you performing “substantial gainful activity (SGA)”? If you are working and earning more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), the SSA will probably deny you benefits.
- Are your impairments severe enough to stop you from working?
- Does your impairment meet Blue Book criteria for a listing? If your impairment doesn’t meet the criteria for one listing alone, the SSA will consider whether multiple conditions together can meet the criteria.
- How much of your past job or jobs are you able to do? The SSA will consider factors such as your ability to walk, lift objects, interact with others, etc.
- Can you perform other work? If you are young and still have plenty of time to retrain for work in another industry, the SSA will likely not give you benefits.
Why Work With Our New York Social Security Disability Claims Lawyers?
Applying for disability benefits is no walk in the park, and the majority of applicants are denied the first time. If you have multiple conditions, you may not know how to list them properly on your application to “equal” a Blue Book listing.
Our Social Security Disability lawyers in New York can help with this. Benefits approval is much more likely with a lawyer guiding you through the process. Our attorneys can also help if the SSA has denied you for benefits.
Need Guidance for Your Disability Evaluation? Contact Our Firm
Do you have multiple conditions and need help completing your benefits application? Want to learn about common reasons for SSD claim denials? Reach out to Pyrros, Serres & Rupwani at (718) 626-7730 for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about Social Security Disability benefit claims here.
How Many People Does the SSA Pay Benefits To?
In 2022, the SSA paid disability benefits to 8.9 million people. Disabled people accounted for the largest share of beneficiaries (85%). Other fast facts include:
- The average age of disability beneficiaries was 56.
- The average monthly benefit was about $1,483.
- The largest diagnosis category (34.1%) was diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues.
What Is the SSDI Trial Work Period?
The SSDI trial work period is a period during which you can try going back to work without losing your disability benefits. In 2024, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (before taxes) counts toward the trial period.
What Happens if I Go Over the SGA for One Month?
If you go over the SGA for one month, the SSA will not send you a disability payment for that month.
Can You Claim Both SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?
It’s possible to claim both SSI and SSDI together. Claiming both types of Social Security Disability benefits together is called a “concurrent claim.”
