Here is The Ultimate Guide to Social Security Disability eligibility.
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
In today’s video, we will be discussing the Ultimate Guide to Social Security Disability Eligibility. The first step in determining your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is to meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. This means that you have a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have earned enough work credits through your past employment. The number of credits required depends on your age at the time you became disabled. Generally we say you must have worked five of the last 10 years in order to qualify for SSDI benefits.
Your medical condition also must be severe enough to prevent you from working, including potentially meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. The Blue Book lists the medical conditions that automatically qualify for SSDI, but they are often at a very high bar. Therefore, if your medical condition does not meet or equal a listing in the Blue Book, the Social Security Administration will evaluate your residual functional capacity to determine whether you can perform any work that you have done in the past or any other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.
The Social Security Administration will also consider your age, education, and work history when determining your eligibility for a Social Security disability benefits.
If you’re currently receiving workers’ compensation benefits, that may also affect your eligibility for SSDI.
You should apply for SSDI within five years of becoming disabled. If you wait too long, it may reduce or eliminate your ability to be eligible for SSDI benefits. This is because Social Security has a date last insured for SSDI benefits. This means that you typically have to prove that your disability started on or before a certain date, which tends to be within five years after you stopped working. The actual date last insured can vary based on your work history. With SSI, there is no date last insured but it is still in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
In addition, you must have sufficient medical evidence to support your claim for SSDI benefits. This includes medical records, doctors notes, and statements from people who know about your condition.
It’s important to note that the SSDI application process can be complex and time consuming and hiring an attorney to help you navigate the process can help increase your chances of success.
To conclude, to be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability, you must have worked enough and earned enough work credits, and have a severe medical condition that meets or equals a listing in the Blue Book or that your residual functional capacity prevents you from working in any capacity. It’s important to apply within five years of becoming disabled and have sufficient medical evidence in that time period to support your claim.
Thanks so much for watching. If you’re disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link here or give us a call directly for a free consultation where we discuss your case and see what I can do to help you.
