Chicago Speech Loss Attorneys
Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyers
The causes and impact of a loss of speech can vary greatly. Loss of speech can occur as a result of a number of medical conditions, including stroke, head injuries, infections, brain tumors, and dementia. Loss of speech may occur suddenly, like in the case of a stroke, or gradually over time, like in the case of dementia and some brain tumors.
Regardless of the cause of speech loss, any kind of speech loss can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Some individuals are able to make certain sounds but are unable to form intelligible words, while others suffer from a complete loss of vocalization.
In order to qualify for social security disability benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a person must have a medical condition that prevents him or her from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. In addition, in order to qualify for SSI, an applicant must fall below certain financial thresholds. In order to qualify for SSDI, an applicant must have earned enough “work credits” through prior employment.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates the loss of speech under a special category for all impairments of sensory function in its “Listing of Impairments.”. When evaluating the loss of speech, the SSA considers the ability to produce speech by any means, including with the assistance of mechanical or electronic devices that improve voice or articulation. Speech impairments may also be evaluated under the category applicable to the particular body system of the underlying disorder, such as neurological disorder.
The SSA requires that applicants provide comprehensive medical documentation to support their claim for social security disability benefits. The amount and type of medical documentation required for a claim based on loss of speech will depend on the underlying cause of the speech loss, but, in general, the SSA will need to review all medical records regarding the medical condition that caused the speech loss, as well as test results, treatments and therapies that have attempted to restore speech.
The Chicago social security disability attorneys at Ankin Law have considerable experience helping clients with their social security disability applications involving a variety of medical conditions. We understand the types of medical and vocational documentation that will be required by the SSA and we can help ensure that the necessary information is provided at the outset in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the processing of your disability claim.
If you have experienced speech loss and are unable to work as a result, contact Ankin Law at (872) 529-9377 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Chicago disability attorneys to discuss a possible disability claim.
