Greetings All,

Does anyone know if Morbid Obesity is considered a disability? I am morbidly obese and my wife is very concerned for my health and says that I should apply for Disability. I am currently working (barely) and I know in order to qualify I can not be working. I know the process can be very long and I don't want to get financially ruined by not working trying to get Disability. I am the only one that works. My wife already gets Disability for something else but she had to get a lawyer to get approved and it was a long process. Any answers, tips, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

twinkiedooter

If you are just overweight that alone does not qualify you for disability. If you have other medical problems such as diabetes, heart problems, etc that are ongoing and not just a few months duration, you will need to check with your regular doctor. When you apply for disability all your pertinent medical records will have to be reviewed to see if your other medical problems in addition to being overweight are a cause for you not being able to work. The fact that you are still working will show the deciding Disability Judge that you are not that disabled and more than likely you will be turned down. Disability turndowns are just the start of the process. Once you have been formally turned down once, you may contact a disability attorney who will present your case for you to the government and handle the hearings and obtain the necessary medical records required to win your case. This process can take literally years to successfully accomplish provided you are not working at all while waiting for your decision. I don't know of anyone who was successfully approved when I worked at a disability attorney's office in Florida years ago who was still working and collected disability. When you are approved they will calculate up just how much "back benefits" you are owned minus the 6 months waiting period that you were not working and pay you a lump sum at that point and then a monthly check after that.

Since your wife had an attorney, I would suggest contacting that person and see what they have to say about your case. Each person is different and that attorney should be able to answer your questions for you. Your state also may have different rules than Florida as far as you working, etc.