How Drug-Related Disabilities Impact Social Security Benefits

Hire an Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer in Tampa, FL

If you have an illegal drug problem, or used to have an illegal drug problem, then you may be wondering whether you are entitled to social security disability benefits due to not being able to work.  The truth is somewhat complicated, and there are prohibitions and allowances that apply depending on the particular circumstances of your drug use and the impairments involved.

Let’s take a closer look.

No Benefits for Drug Addiction

As a general rule, drug addiction cannot — by itself — justify the receipt of social security disability benefits.  Further, even if you are qualified for benefits through other means, the Social Security Administration (SSA) could potentially deny disability benefits if you are currently addicted to drugs (worth noting, however, is that the SSA will typically allow benefits if you can prove that you are in recovery, or that you are no longer addicted to illegal drugs).

Benefits Potentially Available for Drug-Related Disabilities

Drug use can lead to significant impairments.  You may be entitled to receive social security disability benefits for any drug-related or drug-induced impairments.

For example, suppose that you were formerly addicted to hard drugs, and nearly overdosed a number of times, causing you to experience organ failure.  Though you survived, you sustained severe impairments that prevent you from working.

Under those circumstances, you could submit a legitimate claim for social security disability benefits for the organ failure condition and its related impairments.

Returning to the drug addiction issue, it’s important to point out that a “current” drug addiction in conjunction with other drug-related impairments may still qualify you to receive social security benefits if you can introduce evidence showing that you would continue to suffer from the drug-related impairment after you stop taking illegal drugs.

Questions?  Contact the Office of Mike Murburg, P.A. for a Free and Confidential Consultation

Attorney Mike Murburg has spent more than three decades of his career advocating for a wide variety of social security disability claimants, including those who are suffering from the effects of a serious, drug-related disability.  He has a specialized practice — one that is exclusively oriented around benefits claims — and as such, has gained significant insight into the roadblocks facing social security disability claimants.

Unlike many other firms, we invest a significant amount of time and attention towards each of our clients.  We believe that this focus on serving the best interests of the client is fundamental to our success, as we engage closely (and communicate transparently) throughout the disability claim process to ensure that we have the information we need to secure the best possible result.

Call 813-264-5363 or send us a message online to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Tampa social security disability lawyer at our firm.