Disabilities and serious medical conditions present many challenges. They often prevent people from holding a steady job and earning money. The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) helps disabled Americans who cannot work. This program is often referred to as “Social Security disability benefits.” Summit Disability Law Group can help you get these benefits.
Our law practice is completely dedicated to helping disability claimants. Because of this, we answer a lot of questions about how SSDI works. Potential clients sometimes ask us if they can get Social Security disability benefits with inner ear problems. This page answers that question, and provides some key information about applying for benefits.
Inner ear problems can range from conditions such as tinnitus to Meniere’s disease. They can seriously affect your hearing and sense of balance. If you are living with a severe inner ear condition that prevents you from working, Summit Disability Law Group can help you get the benefits you need.
What Kinds of Inner Ear Problems Qualify for Benefits?
The Social Security Administration is the organization responsible for granting disability benefits. The SSA will review your situation to decide if your disability is severe enough to qualify for SSDI. Many conditions that often qualify for benefits are found in the SSA’s “listing of impairments.” This listing provides basic requirements that conditions must meet.
One of the SSA’s listings includes “disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function.” Several common inner ear problems fall under this category. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits with inner ear problems, your condition must meet the following requirements.
- You must have a “history of frequent attacks of balance disturbance, tinnitus, and progressive loss of hearing”
These are some of the most common symptoms of inner ear problems. If you experience all three, it can be very hard to work and complete daily activities.
The vestibular system in your inner ear controls your sense of balance. Diseases and other conditions that affect this system can result in symptoms such as vertigo. Tinnitus is a condition that involves perceiving noises (like ringing or buzzing) when no outside force is producing that noise. In other words, a “ringing in your head.” If you experience these symptoms along with loss of hearing, you may be eligible for benefits.
- You must have proper medical evidence, such as vestibular tests and audiometry results
Proper medical evidence is key to a successful disability claim. This evidence must come in the form of certain types of tests. Caloric tests, in which water or air is funneled into the ear, can help diagnose inner ear problems. Other vestibular tests are also acceptable.
Audiometry tests determine your hearing ability. If these tests show a progressive loss of hearing, you may qualify for benefits.
If you choose to work with us, we will work with your doctors to make sure you have the correct medical evidence to win your claim.
How Do Social Security Disability Benefits Work?
The SSDI program is designed to help disabled Americans who have worked and paid taxes in the past. You may be eligible for benefits if you worked and had Social Security taxes withheld from your paycheck before you became disabled. This system makes your work history an advantage for you. There are many ways that SSDI can help you.
When most people think of “disability benefits,” these monthly checks are what they think of. If you qualify for benefits, you will eventually begin to receive monthly cash benefits to help you cover basic expenses. The amount of money you can receive each month depends on your work and tax history.
- Past-due and retroactive benefits
Disability claims can take time. This can be stressful for many disability claimants, who must live without benefits while their case is in progress. Fortunately, if you win your claim, you may be able to receive the benefits you missed out on while you waited. These are called “past-due” and “retroactive” benefits.
Past-due benefits cover the months between your application date and the date you are awarded benefits. Retroactive benefits cover the months before your application date. These benefits are usually granted in one lump-sum payment.
Cash benefits are extremely helpful, but they are designed to cover basic expenses. Many disability claimants still face expensive medical bills for treatment. The SSDI program offers medical benefits to address this issue. Once you receive 24 months of Social Security disability benefits for inner ear problems, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare.
Should I Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?
Many disabled Utahns ask us how they can improve their disability cases. Hiring an experienced, skilled disability lawyer is one of the best things you can do for your claim. The disability claims process can be long and filled with complex legal jargon. At Summit Disability Law Group, we understand the process and know how to build successful claims.
- My Claim Was Denied. What Should I Do?
A large majority of disability claims are denied at first. Too many deserving people get discouraged and give up on their cases. They do not understand that many claims are successful after appeals. Hiring a lawyer will help you avoid these common mistakes and build the strongest case at every step in the process.
Disability Claim Resources at Summit Disability Law Group
We offer the following resources to all of our clients. They are designed to make the claims process comfortable and affordable for you.
We know that hiring a lawyer seems expensive. However, we offer a “No Fee Guarantee,” which means that you will not pay us any legal fees unless we win your claim. You should only pay us if we get you the benefits you deserve.
- Free case consultations with no strings attached
You deserve to understand your rights. We offer free initial consultations with no strings attached. This way, we can discuss your claim and its chances and then you can make an independent, informed decision about how to continue.
Contact an Experienced Disability Lawyer Today
If you need Social Security disability benefits for inner ear problems, we can help you. The disability lawyers at Summit Disability Law Group know how to build strong claims. Unlike many disability law firms, our practice is dedicated to only representing SSDI claimants. You can be confident that your case has our full attention.
