If you or someone you love has experienced a spinal cord injury and will be unable to work for a year or more, you may be eligible for financial assistance. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monetary aid for people who lose employment due to a serious injury or disability. Depending on the extent of your spinal cord injury, you may be eligible for help.

Medically Qualifying for Benefits

The SSA uses its own guidebook of qualifying criteria, known colloquially as the Blue Book, when determining whether an applicant is eligible for Social Security. If your condition meets the criteria outlined in the Blue Book, you should be approved for disability. The SSA recently revised its listing for spinal cord injuries. Currently, there are three ways in which you can qualify for Social Security after a spinal cord injury:

1. You’ve completely lost motor function in the affected areas. This can include either not being able to move your legs or your arms, or both of course.

2. You have significant difficulty moving at least two limbs, which results in the inability to “ambulate effectively.” The SSA defines effective ambulation as the ability to perform all of the following physical activities:

·         Stand from a seated position

·         Balance while standing

·         Walk without the aid of a walker, two crutches, or a wheelchair

3. You have some physical limitations in your limbs but it’s not so severe that you cannot stand from a chair, and you do not require assistance balancing while standing. However, your physical limitations do severely impact your ability to perform one of the following:

·         Understand, remembering, or applying information

·         Interacting with others in a professional setting

·         Concentrating and completing tasks

·         “Adapting” oneself, which essentially means controlling your emotions in a professional setting

The entire Blue Book can be found online, so you can review the spinal cord disorders listing with your doctor or physical therapist to get a better understanding as to whether you’ll qualify.

Three Months and Applying

For all three listings in the Blue Book, the SSA requires that your symptoms have persisted for at least three months after your accident. This is likely because many people with severe spinal cord injuries will see rapid recovery with physical therapy.

Even if your therapist or doctor doesn’t think you’ll ever be able to return to normal mobility, you should always wait for at least three months to apply for Social Security. Otherwise, your otherwise-strong claim could be denied due to a technicality.

Starting Your Application

The easiest place to apply for disability benefits is online on the SSA’s website. If you’re unable to type, a loved one can fill out your application on your behalf. If you’d prefer to apply in person with the help of a Social Security representative, you can do so at your closest Social Security office. Call the SSA toll free at 1-800-772-1213. It should take three to five months to hear back from the SSA regarding your claim.

Helpful Links:

The SSA’s Website: https://www.ssa.gov/

Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists: https://www.aded.net

Blue Book Listing for Spinal Cord Injuries: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/11.00-Neurological-Adult.htm#11_08

SSA Offices: https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/social-security-disability-locations

Apply for Disability Online: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib

Content provided by:  Disability Benefits Help is an independent organization dedicated to helping people of all ages receive Social Security disability benefits. If you have any questions on how to qualify with Spinal Cord Injury or about the disability process in general, feel free to reach out to our team at help@ssd-help.org