What Does It Mean to Be Eligible for Social Security Disability?

Are you considering applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits after suffering a serious injury or after being diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition? If so, it is essential to understand SSDI eligibility and what it means to be determined eligible by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA is the body that handles SSDI applications and makes determinations about an applicant’s eligibility, and then, for approvals, sends out disability checks each month after the requisite waiting period has passed.

But what does it mean to be eligible for Social Security disability payments? Our national SSD eligibility attorneys can provide you with the information you need below, and we can begin working with you today on your application for federal benefits.

Who is Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?

It is important to be clear, first, that the SSA administers two different types of Social Security disability benefits: SSDI, as we cited above, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Both types of benefits require that a person have an eligible disability, but then the second requirement for each is distinct. For SSI benefits, a person must have sufficiently limited resources. For SSDI benefits, a person’s resources do not impact eligibility. Instead, the second requirement is based on the person’s work history and whether they have worked long enough and recently enough to have the required number of work “credits” for SSDI.

First, the disability requirement for eligibility: You must have medical evidence from an “acceptable medical source” that proves you have a medical condition that is expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in your death, and that proves your medical condition is severe enough that it prevents you from engaging in meaningful employment known as “substantial gainful activity.

Second, to be eligible for SSDI benefits, you typically must have evidence of your precious employment that shows you have worked for at least 5 out of the last 10 years, and that you worked for enough hours to be eligible for SSDI. There are exceptions for younger workers who would not have had an opportunity to work for at least 5 of the last 10 years.

Contact Our National SSD Eligibility Attorney for Help Determining Your Status and Completing Your Disability Application Today

Do you have questions about your eligibility for SSDI benefits, or do you want to ensure that your SSDI application contains all of the necessary documentation to prove your eligibility? You should get in touch with one of the experienced national SSD eligibility lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz as soon as possible. Completing an application for disability benefits can be complicated, and proving your eligibility can be difficult when you submit your application without assistance from an attorney. To be sure, many applications are denied the first time around due to minor issues concerning documentation or particular evidentiary requirements. Our firm can begin working with you today to show the SSA that you are eligible for benefits and to help you obtain the SSDI payments you need. Contact us for assistance.

Source:

ssa.gov/disability/eligibility