Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury involves damage to any part of the spinal cord. It can also include damage to nerves at the end of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina. There are as many as 300,000 people living with spinal cord injuries in the United States. Additionally, around 18,000 people sustain a new spinal cord injury each year across the country. Often, these incidents are caused by vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, sports injuries, or another type of severe incident. Spinal cord injuries often cause permanent changes in strength, feeling and other body functions below the site of the injury. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 11.08 of the Blue Book.
Does Spinal Cord Injury Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with spinal cord Injuries do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
11.08 – Spinal cord disorders with A, B, or C:
A. Complete loss of function, lasting for 3 consecutive months after the disorder.
OR
B. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities, resulting in an extreme limitation in the ability to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities lasting for 3 consecutive months after the disorder.
OR
C. Marked limitation in physical function and in one of the following areas of mental function, both lasting for 3 consecutive months after the disorder:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information; or
- Interacting with others; or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
- adapting or managing oneself.
When the SSA evaluates your spinal cord disorder, they will need evidence from at least 3 months after your symptoms began in order to determine your motor function. Therefore, if the spinal cord disorder is severe, the medical evidence may be sufficient to allow your claim within 3 months after the spinal cord injury. If the medical evidence demonstrates total cord transection causing a loss of motor and sensory functions below the level of injury, then the SSA will not wait 3 months. Instead, they will make a decision immediately.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
