Do you have a heart condition that has caused you to be unable to work and engage in many of your day-to-day activities as you otherwise normally would? If so, you should know that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with difficult heart conditions, and depending upon the severity of the condition, it can significantly interfere with your day-to-day life.
If you find yourself in this situation and are unable to work, you may be experiencing considerable financial stress. That’s understandable. The good news is that you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Let’s take a closer look together at the types of benefits that might be available and whether you qualify.
What Constitutes a “Disability”?
To determine whether a particular condition qualifies for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration consults its listing of impairments, also known as the Blue Book. The Blue Book encompasses a wide range of conditions and their associated symptoms. If your condition is not specifically listed in the Blue Book, it does not mean that you will not qualify for benefits. It simply means that additional medical proof may be necessary.
Fortunately, for those struggling with difficult heart conditions, the Social Security Administration does recognize many of these conditions as qualifying disabilities. The Blue Book lists a variety of qualifying heart conditions, including:
- Chronic heart failure: This is a condition in which the heart is unable to supply sufficient blood to the body as a result of being weakened in some way.
- Heart transplant
- Symptomatic congenital heart disease: Essentially, this is a condition resulting from birth defects in the heart that cause malfunctions of various kinds.
- Ischemic heart disease: This typically occurs when the heart cannot get sufficient blood supply.
- Recurrent arrhythmias or abnormal heart rates
- Chronic venous insufficiency: This is essentially a circulation problem as a result of damaged veins.
- Aneurysm of the aorta or other major branches: This is essentially swelling of the major arteries of the heart due to cardiovascular disease.
- Peripheral arterial disease: This refers to the impaired function of the peripheral arteries, which supply blood to the extremities.
Each of these conditions include specific criteria and symptoms that must be established through sufficient medical documentation. The Social Security Administration will often require evidence of physical examinations, lab studies, prescribed treatment, responses to treatment, and other detailed reports of medical history, including symptoms and the effect of the condition on the individual’s day-to-day life.
What Type of Benefit Should You Pursue?
If you believe you may have a qualifying disability, you will want to begin the process of filing a claim. To do so, you will need to consult with an attorney regarding what type of benefit you may want to pursue.
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits. The first is Social Security Disability Insurance. This is a program funded by taxes that people regularly pay into the Social Security system through their employment. To the Social Security Administration, this is known as being “insured.”
If you are insured, and you have a qualifying medical disability that has rendered you unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more, you may qualify for SSDI benefits. SSDI benefits are paid monthly, and the amount of the payment does not depend upon your particular medical condition. Instead, it will depend upon a variety of factors, including your work and earnings history. The maximum amount of SSDI benefits an individual can receive each month is $4,018.
The other type of benefit you may qualify for, depending on your circumstances, is Supplemental Security Income. Individuals who seek SSI benefits do not need to be “insured,” but they do need to have income and resources below a certain annual limit established by the Social Security Administration. As is the case with SSDI benefits, those who receive SSI benefits do so based on a variety of factors rather than their particular condition. In 2025, the maximum SSI payment for an individual will be $967 per month and $1,450 for an eligible couple.
Muse Disability – Here For You
If you are living with a complicated heart condition, you need and deserve to focus on treating that condition and enjoying life with those you love. The last thing you need is added stress and worry about how you will continue to provide for yourself and your family in the meantime. The good news is you don’t have to. At Muse Disability, we are here to help. Our talented and experienced team of disability benefit attorneys knows and understands the law, and we will always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf as you seek the benefits you need and deserve. We’re ready to get started today. If you are, too, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.