Experienced Disability Attorneys for Plantar Fasciitis Claims
The sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot that makes it difficult to walk or stand could be a sign of plantar fasciitis. It’s a common medical condition affecting a band of tissue, known as the plantar fascia, located on the underside of the foot. It runs from the heel bone to the base of your toes and supports the arch.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when tears develop in the fascia and become irritated and inflamed. The condition can be extremely painful and make it difficult to walk, stand, or do other activities, including those required for working. If you cannot work and have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider, you may be eligible for disability benefits from Social Security for plantar fasciitis.
Qualifying for plantar fasciitis disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs is not easy. The Social Security Administration approves fewer than one-third of the disability claims submitted each year during the initial application review process. The rest either appeal the unfavorable outcome or give up.
If plantar fasciitis keeps you from performing your work activities, options for financial and medical assistance may be available through SSDI and SSI. Discover options available to you during a complimentary consultation with one of the plantar fasciitis disability attorneys at the GCC Law Firm.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and How It Affects Your Body and Your Ability to Work
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue called the plantar fascia located along the sole of the foot. Its primary function is to support the arch and plays a crucial role in maintaining foot mechanics during walking or running.
Common foot mechanics, such as pushing off the ball of the foot when walking or running, increase tension and exert stress on the plantar fascia. The act of standing for long periods can cause damage as a person’s body weight exerts stress and tension on the fascia. Other factors contributing to the development of plantar fasciitis may include a person’s foot structure, the type of surface used for walking or running, the type of footwear, and a person’s weight.
Over time, small tears may develop, or the plantar fascia may lose elasticity, resulting in inflammation, pain, and impaired mobility. Pain may worsen after periods of inactivity, such as upon waking up in the morning, or after prolonged periods of vigorous activity.
Other conditions, such as a stress fracture or a compressed nerve in the foot or back, may cause symptoms similar to those associated with plantar fasciitis. A diagnosis from a healthcare professional is the only way to determine the medical condition causing your symptoms and receive appropriate treatment.
Does Plantar Fasciitis Qualify For SSDI and SSI? Navigating The Disability Application Review Process
The SSDI program insures workers with employment histories at jobs or self-employment where Social Security taxes were paid on their earnings or income. The SSI program does not require a work history. Instead, it imposes limits on income and resources because eligibility is based on financial need rather than employment history.
Social Security uses a definition of disability to evaluate applications for SSI and SSDI that eliminates partial or short-term disability eligibility for plantar fasciitis disability benefits. A person must be unable to do substantial gainful work activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year.
The severity of the condition and the effect it has on a person’s ability to do work activities determines whether disability claims for foot pain will be approved for SSDI or SSI. The GCC Law plantar fasciitis disability attorneys understand that to prove a claim for benefits, it is necessary to document the condition through medical records that show a diagnosis and demonstrate that treatment options failed to alleviate the disabling symptoms.
The Social Security Administration uses a sequential review process to evaluate applications it receives for SSDI and SSI. The listing of impairments is one component of the process that determines whether a medical condition is severe enough to be a disability.
The listings include medical conditions considered severe enough to be disabling according to the definition of disability. Each listed impairment contains medical criteria that must be proven with medical evidence to qualify for disability benefits using the listings.
The difficulty of meeting all the medical criteria of a listing is a reason that people with plantar fasciitis do not qualify using the listing of impairments. Instead, they rely on the residual functional capacity (RFC) method to evaluate the work activities a person can do with the pain and other symptoms of their medical condition.
If plantar fasciitis prevents you from doing work done in the past or adjusting to doing other types of work available in the regional or national economies, you could qualify for disability benefits through SSDI or SSI. Your RFC, along with your level of work experience, skills, age, and education, are factors in the evaluation process that determine your ability to adapt to other types of work.
Contact GCC Law For Dedicated and Compassionate Assistance With Your Claim For Social Security Plantar Fasciitis Disability Benefits
The skilled and dedicated plantar fasciitis disability attorneys at GCC Law use their knowledge and experience to give their clients with disability claims for foot pain the best chance of success. According to data compiled by the federal government, claimants with representation were three times more likely to achieve a successful outcome than those without it.
When you need assistance with preparing and submitting an initial application for benefits, our disability attorneys are here to help. If you received a denial of benefits after trying to navigate the Social Security disability process on your own, we can help by challenging the unfavorable outcome through an appeal.
From advice you can rely on to dynamic representation focused on you and your needs, GCC Law has it. Discover how we can make a difference for you by scheduling a complimentary consultation and disability claim evaluation.
Medical Conditions Listed for Disability Benefits:
Call Our Illinois Plantar Fasciitis Disability Lawyers Today
At GCC Law Firm, our Illinois Plantar Fasciitis disability attorneys provide personalized, solutions-driven legal advocacy for clients. If your SSDI or SSI claim has been denied in Illinois, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free and completely confidential initial consultation, please contact our law firm today.
Call (479) 340-0002.