The eligibility standards for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are quite high. Many people with painful, career-changing medical conditions who think they qualify may not actually meet the strict standards.
Applicants typically need to show that they cannot maintain any sort of gainful employment whatsoever. An accountant with a brain injury might still be able to work as a cashier or as a prep cook at a local restaurant. Therefore, their injury is not debilitating enough to warrant SSDI benefits. People with cancer may be completely unable to work, but they may recover within a few months with treatment.
Applicants typically need proof that they have no ability to maintain any form of consistent, gainful employment and that their condition should last a year or longer. There are special provisions in place for unusual circumstances. Blue-collar workers may actually benefit from a special rule in cases wherein medical conditions prevent them from continuing their chosen careers.
What rule is different for manual laborers?
Blue-collar professionals applying for SSDI benefits might qualify under the worn-out worker rule. The Social Security Administration (SSA) acknowledges that the manual labor performed by blue-collar workers can take a toll on their bodies.
If a blue-collar professional has a qualifying background and a medical condition that prevents them from working in their current career, they may be eligible for SSDI benefits. Even if they might be able to work in a retail establishment or fast food restaurant, work history may help them qualify for SSDI benefits.
The SSA’s rules for blue-collar employees are still relatively strict. They need to have worked in an arduous, manual labor profession for at least 35 years. Additionally, they could potentially qualify under the worn-out worker rule if they only have a marginal education. If the situation meets those standards, then a blue-collar professional unable to continue working a physically demanding job may be eligible for SSDI benefits.
Documenting the severity of a medical condition and completing an SSDI benefits application can be very difficult for blue-collar workers in qualifying circumstances. The guidance and support of a lawyer can prove helpful for SSDI applicants hoping to qualify under the worn-out worker rule.