Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability?

If you’re disabled and unable to work, you may be wondering if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Today we’re going to talk about whether or not you might qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. First, there are two different programs, there is Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI, and there is Social Security Disability Insurance, also known as SSDI. Both programs require that you be disabled and unable to work for a period of at least 12 months. However, you don’t have to stop working for 12 months before applying. Instead, your conditions must either have already lasted 12 months, or they must be expected to impact your ability to work for at least 12 months.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits

For SSDI benefits, successful claims also have a past work requirement. While there are exceptions, generally speaking, to qualify for SSDI, in addition to having that disabling condition (or conditions) that prevent you from working for at least 12 months, you must also have worked five of the last 10 years. Again, there are exceptions to that general rule, especially for individuals under the age 31; however, generally speaking, in order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must be disabled and unable to work for a period of at least 12 months and have worked five of the last 10 years.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

For SSI benefits, on the other hand, those claims don’t have that work history requirement, but instead have income and asset thresholds that you must remain under in order to qualify and continue receiving the benefits. For SSI, you must be disabled and unable to work for a period of at least 12 months and have less than $2,000 in assets if you’re single and less than $3,000 in assets if you’re married. There are also additional restrictions on the income you and your household may receive for the eligibility of SSI benefits.

Social Security Disability Lawyer

If you are disabled and unable to work, click the link here for a free consultation or give us a call directly so we can see what I can do to help you.