Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is designed to give people assistance when they are unable to work. Like other types of government programs, it is necessary to apply to get compensation. After you suffer from an accident or an illness, you may be left wondering how you will be able to cover your medical bills and provide for your family. When you are unable to work due to a disability, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits.
What is SSDI?
In essence, social security disability insurance is given to people who need financial support. These individuals may be unable to work over the long-term due to a disability or a chronic illness. For short-term disabilities, other types of insurance are available. These alternative illnesses may be covered through workers’ compensation or short-term disability insurance.
Social Security Disability in Abingdon, Maryland
It is only possible to get SSDI if the individual has worked in the past. Over the years, workers contribute to the social security disability fund through their paychecks. Due to this, the federal government requires individuals to work a set number of hours during previous years in order to be eligible. Individuals under the age of 28 have to work for at least one year and six months before they can request disability. The total number of working years required increases as people age. Someone who is 42 years old has to work for a minimum of five years before they are eligible for SSDI.
In addition, the work that the individual completes must be done recently. As a rule, the government expects people to work at least 5 out of 10 years. The only exception to this rule is for individuals who became permanently disabled at a young age.
Other than the disabled individual, social security disability insurance can also be given to a spouse or dependent children. This is only an option when the main income earner for the household becomes disabled. Spouses may become eligible if they are the primary caregiver for a minor or if they are older than 62 years old.
While these basic requirements can be challenging for a disabled worker, the most important requirement necessitates visits to the doctor and medical records. To qualify for social security disability insurance, the individual must prove that they are disabled. The Social Security Administration will ask for official medical records to prove a disability. In these records, the date when the disability was first diagnosed and the ensuing treatment must be listed. The records can only be given by someone with a medical license.
When someone does not qualify for social security disability insurance due to their work history, they may be eligible for social security income benefits (SSI). SSI is given to individuals who have a low household income. Unlike SSDI, social security insurance is often given to people who have not earned enough work credits in the past. They may also be working part-time or may earn less than a certain level of income. Social security income is given to help cover basic necessities like food, electricity and rent. Individuals are not eligible for social security income if they have more than $2,000 in assets. If someone is eligible for SSI, they will often be eligible for other forms of need-based assistance like food stamps and Medicaid.
Getting Help from an Attorney
Navigating the application process for social security disability insurance benefits can be daunting. For individuals who lack legal training, the terms, requirements and forms can seem like an impossible challenge. Even when these forms have been filled out, they may be rejected if they are not filed on time or are not filled out correctly. Due to this, many individuals who apply for SSDI benefits turn to a lawyer for the application process. If you have already applied and been rejected, a lawyer can help you work on your appeal.
As a specialist in SSDI, I know exactly what it takes to apply for SSDI and appeal a rejection. An estimated 70 percent of SSDI claims are denied following the initial application. If you have applied for SSDI and been rejected, I can help you review your medical records and employment records. Our team can help you file an appeal to get the benefits that you need and deserve.
Our Services
Help Applying for SSDI
Help Appealing a SSDI Denial