Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program that hopes to provide income for the disabled. Millions of people in America rely on this program since it caters to our economy’s weakest members.
But, qualifying for Social Security Disability isn’t exactly simple. Because the program offers income to people who can’t earn money any other way – the Social Security Administration views it’s filtering of the applicants as very essential.
Congress created the SSDI program in 1972 when it decided to discontinue its system of grants for the aged, disabled, and blind. The SSA maintains that those grants were for people who could not qualify for social security benefits. The SSDI program is different from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program because it has a work experience requirement. Applicants for the program need to have a certain amount of work credits accumulated so they can be eligible.
You can earn credits by working a job that pays into the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
How SSDI Is Different from Means-Tested Programs
One of the key differences between SSI and other Social Security Programs is that while Social Security Disability provides insurance; SSI is a means-tested program. A means-tested program is only available to the individuals who have few resources or assets required to qualify for the program. In the case of SSI, applicants must still be blind or disabled because, according to the SSA, the SSI program is seen as “assistance of last resort.”
What Benefits Will I Receive?
In 2020, the basic amount of benefits an individual can receive from SSI is $783, while couples can receive $1,175. However, if a person qualifies for SSI but they are living in another person’s house and receive support in different ways, there will be additional offsets to reduce this amount. However, if you have enough work credits (typically working 5 of the last 10 years) the amount you receive could easily be double, or triple this amount!
If a person is qualified to receive Medicaid, they can receive $30 per month since Medicaid covers most of their health-related costs. In most States, if a person has qualified for SSI, they automatically also qualify for Medicaid. IF you have SSDI you will qualify for Medicare after 24 months of being disabled.
To learn more about your rights under the Social Security Disability laws call our FREE Disability Hotline at 1-866-4-MY-SSDI (469-7734) to speak with one of our friendly disability rights advocates who, once they obtain all the required information, will evaluate your claim in 60 seconds or less or fill out our FREE Disability Case Assessment form and one of our representatives will contact you immediately.
How Can I Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Qualifying for disability can be hard when you don’t know how to go about the process. Even though the SSA claims that the application process easier and more straightforward than before, 75% of all people who apply for benefits on their own, without an attorney, have their claims rejected.
In the first few stages of the process, you need to make sure that your disability is long-lasting and severe enough to be considered a disability. For the SSA, any disability that can last for at least a year can be considered a long-term disability. You’re also going to need documentation from your medical providers that can prove you have a “severe” disability that keeps you out of work.
However, the SSA will often also perform tests of their own to determine the legitimacy of your disability. According to the SSA, simply having a disability is not enough to get you benefits. You also have to demonstrate the symptoms of the disability to prove your case and you have to have serious limitations in your physical (or mental) ability to work. In some cases, the process can be accelerated because the condition is mentioned in the SSA’s “Blue Book”. The Blue Book is a listing of impairments that SSA has published. The very specific conditions and limitations within this book would qualify for disability benefits immediately. Although rare, it is important to have an attorney that is familiar with the Blue Book to make sure they can effectively argue your case!
Conclusion
If you are disabled and your long-term disability is a hindrance in your ability to work and make a living for your family, you should think of applying for disability benefits. Instead of doing it yourself and risking a much higher denial rate, do not take that chance. You should hire an experienced attorney that can gather evidence and effectively present your case for you.
Here at Kahn and Associates we take most cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not require any payment unless we are successful in securing benefits for you.
To learn more about your rights under the Social Security Disability laws call our FREE Disability Hotline at 1-866-4-MY-SSDI (469-7734) to speak with one of our friendly disability rights advocates who, once they obtain all the required information, will evaluate your claim in 60 seconds or less. Alternatively, you can fill out our FREE Disability Case Assessment form and one of our representatives will contact you immediately.
