When your heart is damaged, you want to do your best to protect it. Without it, you would be dead. Your doctor may tell you to cut down on the things in your life that stress your heart. Your job might be high on this list.
Jobs can stress the heart for many different reasons. A high-pressure environment such as a restaurant kitchen at lunch service could do it. A job as a school sports coach which involves running up the touchline to referee the games could do it. Even sitting still in an office could be too much for your heart if you work under pressure.
To claim SSDI for a heart condition, you need to show it prevents you from working
If you are unable to work due to a medical condition, you may be able to claim Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). To do so, you need to show the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your condition prevents you from working for at least a year.
The SSA Blue Book has a list of heart conditions that may qualify for SSDI. Yet even if you have one of these heart conditions, SSDI is not automatic. You need to present medical evidence to prove your need. Likewise, if the Blue Book does not list your condition, there may still be ways to qualify.
Continuing as a chef, sports coach or sales manager may no longer be safe if you have a heart ailment. Yet, the SSA might suggest you are still able to work in some other capacity. You might feel any job is too much of a risk. Seek advice to find out more about how the SSDI rules work and to assess your options.
