The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays a monthly cash benefit for workers unable to continue earning a living because of a disabling physical or mental impairment. Funding for this program, which is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), comes from Social Security taxes on earned income.
You must meet specific medical and non-medical guidelines to qualify for benefits. Complicated federal regulations, a difficult application process, and a denial rate exceeding 66% on initial application make it essential for you to seek assistance from the Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers at Disability Partners, PLLC.
Eligibility for the program is determined by your work record and the medical condition that prevents you from continuing to work. You must have worked long enough to earn the number of work credits required to qualify for the program based on your age when you apply for benefits.
A work credit is earned for each $1,510 that you have in earnings in 2022 from a job or through self-employment that is subject to payment of Social Security taxes. The amount of earnings needed for a work credit is subject to annual adjustment by the SSA. Your age at the onset of disability generally determines how many credits you need to qualify for SSDI and how recently they must have been earned.
If you have a long enough work record, you still must have a disability that meets SSA guidelines. It’s not as easy as you may think. A short-term or partial disability may qualify for state disability programs, but it will not get you Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
The definition used by the SSA to determine whether you qualify for SSDI benefits requires that you meet the following standards:
Our Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers review your medical history and records to ensure they support your claim for benefits with a specific diagnosis, clinic examinations and evaluations, and diagnostic testing results to give your claim the best chance at achieving an approval during the initial determination process or, if necessary, during the appeal process.
The amount that you receive in SSDI benefits each month depends on your lifetime record of earnings on which Social Security taxes were paid. The more you earn, the more you receive each month.
You also become eligible for Medicare coverage to help you in the payment of medical expenses. Medicare eligibility begins after you receive SSDI benefits for at least 24 months.
When you need help with an application for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, whether at the initial application stage or for a disability appeal, Disability Partners, PLLC, is ready to help. Contact one of our Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers today for a free consultation and claim evaluation.