Congestive Heart Failure and Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Claimants in Illinois

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure is absolutely recognized by the Social Security Administration! If congestive heart failure is preventing you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). When you apply for disability benefits with congestive heart failure, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. If you meet a listing you will be found disabled. If you do not meet a listing, the Social Security Administration will then evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)) and determine whether you are entitled to disability benefits.

Is There A Specific Listing For Congestive Heart Failure?

The Social Security Administration recognizes congestive heart failure under Listing of Impairments 4.02: Chronic heart failure. Listing 4.02 can be found on the Social Security Administration website. However, because most of the listing is structured using medical terminology, it can be quite difficult to know whether you will meet the congestive heart failure listing. If you or a family member suffers from congestive heart failure and are unable to work and want to know more about whether you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI), contact Pearson Disability Law, LLC today for a free consultation at 312-999-0999.

If I Do Not Meet The Listing, Is There Another Way To Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Yes! If you do not meet Listing 4.02 and congestive heart failure is preventing you from working, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration will proceed with your case by evaluating your Residual Functional Capacity. To do this, the Administration will determine the most amount of work that you can do despite your limitations. They do this by dividing “work” into four different categories: heavy, medium, light, and sedentary. It is worth noting that there is sometimes a fifth category that is recognized for very heavy work; however, very heavy work is scarcely used. Whether a claimant wins his or her disability claim is greatly affected by which category he or she is ultimately put into. Being put into a lower category increases the likelihood that a claim is approved for Social Security disability benefits.