Most of us think of retirement when we hear Social Security. Did you know that there are multiple types of Social Security benefits that can be claimed? Social Security is not just claimed by retirees but it can also provide benefits to individuals that are considered disabled through SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).
How To Qualify For SSDI
There are prerequisites that have to be fulfilled for Social Security disability benefits and the wait list is long, for those that do apply, about 60 percent of applicants will get denied because they do not meet the definition of disabled, or lack sufficient documentation or imprecise filing of forms to prove the validity of their situation.
Before filing for SSDI -There are requirements you need to meet in order to be considered eligible:
- Work history, You must have been employed and contributed 40 credits within a decade to jobs under Social Security. If you have under 10 years of work history, there’s an alternative evaluation based on your age to decide whether you meet with the whole period of work evaluation. Note, 40 credits a decade means that you can only contribute 4 credits a year max.
- Work evaluation, this essentially says you have to have at least contributed 20 credits in the previous 5-10 years. To be eligible for disability benefits, generally speaking, applicants should have recent work history. Alternative evaluations apply to applicants under the age of 31 years old because they have not had time to build the job history that others employees have who are older.
Be aware that Social Security doesn’t provide benefits based for temporary disabilities, you must be permanently and completely disabled to be considered eligible. In accordance with Social Security a individual is disabled when he or she is not able to work due to a health problem or illness that could be expected to last for a minimum of one year or end in the individual’s death.
The process is generally lengthy. Accepted applicants likely won’t receive benefits immediately after applying for disability, secondly, there’s a limited amount of resources and an extensive waitlist and waiting period.
There are to situations that will speed up the approval time of an application.
- Compassionate Allowances, are certain acute medical conditions that are life threatening. Severe types of cancer are examples.
- Quick
Disability Determinations: This is a algorithm that the Social
Security departments uses through technology to screen applicants
that will likely be eligible for benefits base on certain factors.
Consider the Following When Applying:
- Can you be working and apply? If the individual applying earns more than $1,000 a month, the applicant is regarded as engaging in substantial gainful activity and their claim is likely going to be denied.
- How serious is the medical issue? The disease or injury should restrict the individual’s capability to perform basic tasks, like walking or sitting. To put it bluntly, the capacity to work must be significantly limited by their disability.
- What medical conditions will be accepted? SSDI has a list of acute medical conditions which are regarded as a disabilities.
- Could the individuals continue their tasks at work after he or she became disabled? The claim for disability benefits will be denied if this is so. Disability is meant for those that are so severely handicapped and can’t perform the job they did before their incident or diagnosis and can’t adjust to another job based on their ailments.
Your disability case worker will determine your disability coverage plan. Your SSI disability benefits will continue until you reach the maximum of your disability coverage or until you recover and can return to work.
Family members may be eligible for benefits if you’re receiving SSDI. Your partner may get a benefit of 50 percent of your benefit starting at age 62 (divorced spouses may also be eligible, if married for a minimum of 10 years).
There are many other rules that apply to specific situations. Such as disabled children, young disabled adults, widows, blind, veterans. We suggest that you call the social security department or go the website to if you have more questions about these special situations.
