What is SSDI?
Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is insurance coverage that is available to workers who become disabled for the long term. The program is funded through paycheck deductions, and money that is put into SSDI is managed and paid out by the federal government. SSDI benefits are available to people who have worked in the past and are now unable to do so because of a disabling condition that will last at least 12 months. Coverage for short-term disabilities is available through workers’ compensation and short-term disability benefits that are managed by individual employers.
Social Security Disability in Carlisle
People who are disabled and live in Carlisle may be eligible to collect SSDI benefits if they have work history. Applicants must have worked a minimum number of years in order to qualify for these benefits, and the exact work history requirement depends on the age of the disabled individual at the time of application.
People who become disabled earlier in life may be eligible for benefits with a shorter work history. Individuals who are 28 or younger may qualify if they worked one and a half years before applying for benefits, while people who are over the age of 40 often have to have worked at least five of the past 10 years in order to qualify. Work history is required to be recent, so applicants who worked long before filing for benefits may be denied.
It is possible for dependents of people who are unable to work to be eligible for benefits as well. If the disabled individual was the main income earner in the household, spouses of the applicant may qualify for benefits if they are the primary caretaker of a minor child or are over the age of 62.
Successfully qualifying for SSDI benefits in Carlisle is a matter of gathering medical evidence to prove that a disability exists. Medical records are used for this purpose, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that applicants receive a diagnosis from a licensed medical provider. It is important to schedule regular appointments and to report all symptoms and complications of the condition to this provider to build a strong case.
People who suffer from a long-term disability are not automatically eligible to receive SSDI benefits. The symptoms and complications of the condition must significantly reduce the individual’s ability to perform job tasks. Work history will be assessed to determine if the applicant could reasonably be expected to work in a different position, and the SSA may examine academic history to determine whether the applicant has the training for a position that is less physically or mentally demanding.
Getting Help from an Attorney
The process of applying for SSDI benefits is long and often confusing for people who do not have experience with the SSA. Paperwork must be filed in a timely manner, and medical records must accompany the application in order for it to be considered. Even if a person suffers from a disability that makes working impossible, the SSA will deny an application that is not properly filed. Lack of medical evidence is the most common reason for a denial, and over 70 percent of first-time applications are denied. While applicants have the right to appeal, the appeals process is equally as confusing as applying for the first time. The best way to improve the chances of being approved for benefits is to hire an experienced SSDI attorney. These legal professionals have extensive knowledge when it comes to filing an initial application or appealing a denial. An initial consultation is the first step to getting benefits that are needed to pay for housing, food and other necessities.
Our Services
Help Applying for SSDI
Help Appealing a SSDI Denial