SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Social Security Disability and Medication


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
You do not have to have been prescribed medication in order to qualify for social security disability (SSD) or SSI benefits. In fact, neither the social security administration nor DDS (the state disability determination service or agency that makes disability decisions for social security) defines any disabling condition based on what types of medications a claimant has or is currently taking.

Theoretically, any individual that files for disability could be approved for benefits, regardless of their medical history.

However, if you are not taking medicine to treat your symptoms and are filing for disability based on a medical condition that could be improved by medication, a disability examiner may question if you are truly disabled, or if it’s possible that you could work if you took prescribed medication.

For instance, it is possible to effectively control epilepsy with seizure medication, asthma with steroids, symptoms of depression with antidepressants, etc. In such cases it is difficult for an individual to prove that their condition is disabling without having at least tried to alleviate the symptoms by taking medication. To the disability examiner or administrative hearing judge reviewing your case, it could appear that you are either not ill enough to have sought medical treatment, or that a physician did not think your condition was serious enough to prescribe medication.

So, although it is not necessary to be on medication to prove that you have a disability, it does make it harder to demonstrate medical compliance; that is, social security cannot determine your real functional capacity if you are not taking the medication commonly prescribed to treat your symptoms, and it will be difficult to make the case that you could not, with proper medical treatment, return to work.

This puts some who file for disability in an unfair position, because they may be uninsured, or unable to afford either to see a doctor or to buy the prescribed medication. Unfortunately, a lack of medical documentation in this area can hurt a claimant’s case, and may make it impossible to win SSD or SSI benefits.

If you are applying for disability benefits but have no health insurance, it’s a good idea to check out any free clinics or free prescription services in your area. Your local county health department or social services agency should be able to give you a list of such resources available in your area.















Return to:  SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page












Individual Questions and Answers


  • What happens if my SSI or Social Security Disability Application is denied?

  • Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?

  • How do you apply for disability if you have depression problems ?

  • Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

  • How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

  • Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?

  • How to apply for social security disability benefits for children

  • Recent Medical Records for a Social Security Disability or SSI case

  • Proving Functional Limitations and why this is Important on a Disability Case

  • Applying for disability benefits in North Carolina

  • Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

  • How to qualify for disability - The Process of Qualifying for Benefits

  • What are the questions that get asked at a social security disability or SSI hearing?

  • Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

  • SSI for children

  • Questions regarding Disability lawyers

  • What cases win Disability Benefits

  • Can you file for Social Security disability for a mental disorder or problem?

  • Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

  • Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

  • Do You Get Disability Benefits From The First Time You Applied?

  • What makes you disabled for SSD, Social Security Disability Benefits, OR SSI?

  • Migraines, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • When I Apply for Disability - Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI?

  • Can You Apply For Disability When You Lose Your Job?

  • How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don’t Have Money To Go To the Doctor?

  • Can You Qualify for Disability if you did not work much?

  • What Disabilities Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits?

  • Filing for SSI Disability

  • When you file for disability and have both Mental and Physical Conditions

  • How do you get an SSI disability application and Claim started?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Oregon

  • How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Rhode Island

  • What Are The Steps To Applying For Disability Benefits from Social Security?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials