If you are unable to work due to a disability, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) Benefits. Like all government programs, there are very specific requirements you have to meet in order to be eligible for benefits. Plus, the application process for these benefits may be a bit daunting, but finding out if you qualify is worth the effort.
Eligibility for SSD Benefits
You must meet two basic criteria to be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits:
- You must have a medical condition that meets the criteria of disability as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Your situation should have precluded you from working for about a year or be anticipated to bar you from working for over one year.
The medical condition must prevent you from engaging in “substantial gainful activity.” Work that pays over $1,070 monthly (or $1,800 if you are blind) is considered this. The SSA’s website has a list of disabling conditions, which includes:
- Cancer
- Muscular dystrophy
- Amputation
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Arthritis, etc.
Depending on your age, you must also have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. For example, a 31-year-old must have worked for the previous ten years. People who become disabled before age 22 have a different work requirement; generally, they or a parent should have worked for a sufficient period to be eligible for benefits.
Applying for SSD Benefits
Contact to apply for SSD benefits, go to the nearby Social Security office or visit the SSA website. The next step is to fill out an application, which can be done online, through a call, or by visiting the office. You will be asked about your work history, medical condition, and financial situation.
Following the submission of your application, a disability examiner will review your case and decide. If approved for benefits, you will be mailed a notice stating the number of your benefits and the date they will begin. If you are denied benefits, you can file an appeal.
Applying for SSD benefits can be time-consuming and difficult, but it is necessary if you cannot work due to a disability. You can increase your chances of approval by acknowledging the eligibility conditions and how to apply for these benefits.
Read More:
