Strokes are alarmingly common in North Carolina and across the country. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an American suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. Regrettably, someone dies from of stroke every four minutes in the U.S.
A stroke happens when something interrupts blood flow to the brain, cutting off oxygen and essential nutrients. If you have a stroke, you may experience paralysis, communication difficulties and even memory loss. Fortunately, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Work credits
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a sufficient number of work credits. The exact number you need depends on your age at the time of your disability. Nevertheless, for many North Carolinians, the 40 work credits are necessary.
Disability listing
Your stroke must also either meet one of the Social Security Administration’s disability listings or sufficiently affect your employability. For strokes, the appropriate listing is often Central Nervous System or Vascular Event. To qualify under this listing, the following must apply:
- Your stroke limits your ability to speak or write
- Your stroke interferes with your ability to control movements in at least two limbs
- Your stroke affects your ability to coordinate movements
If your stroke does not fit within the Central Nervous System or Vascular Event listing, you may be able to qualify under different listings, such as the ones for vision or hearing loss.
Vocational allowance
Even if your stroke does not make you eligible for SSDI benefits under an SSA listing, you may still be eligible for benefits pursuant to a vocational allowance. With this approach, your doctor completes an assessment to determine if your stroke prevents you from working.
Recovering from a stroke can be both expensive and time-consuming. While applying for SSDI benefits may seem daunting, receiving benefits may help you continue to support yourself and your family.
