With its aim to offer financial assistance to disabled individuals and those with limited income, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program will provide financial aid to disabled individuals, including children, and elderly or blind individuals who have limited income and resources. To determine if you qualify for SSDI, you might have and present to the system all the requirements that include having a disability that prevents substantial gainful activity, limited income and resources, and being a U.S. citizen or a qualified legal immigrant.
Here is a checklist that might be useful for you, in order to discard any potential drawbacks when applying for these SSDI benefits. The amount of your monthly benefit will be determined by your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security, and other factors that we’ll let you know here.
The 3 items to check before applying for the SSDI benefits: Getting approved without any delay
The Social Security Disability Insurance program defines a qualifying disability as one that creates “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s)”, and the is expected to persist for years or end up in the passing away of the individual. This means that, in order to qualify, a person must be unable to work for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Of course, to prove this to the SSDI system, you have to have documentation that proves that, effectively, you will not be able to work for at least a year. The documentation provided should be very clear and specific. For example, you should talk about the applicant’s limitations to lift a certain weight and have worked in a job that requires lifting objects with the body.
What kind of disabilities qualify for SSDI benefits?
Work history and work credits, SSDI pays benefits to individuals who have a disability and have worked enough years to qualify and paid Social Security taxes.
Medical condition: To qualify for SSDI, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. The medical requirements are the same for both SSDI and SSI programs.
Income and resources: SSDI is based on your work history and disability, while SSI is based on financial need. SSI is available to low-income individuals who have not accumulated enough work credits or who have never worked.
Gathering all the documentation to demonstrate that you qualify for the SSDI benefits
When seeking disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA)requires individuals to provide medical evidence substantiating their disability. This includes crucial documentation like medical records, doctors’ reports, and recent test results. Presenting comprehensive supporting documentation is vital, as it strengthens your case and enhances the likelihood of a successful claim approval.
To qualify for disability benefits, the SSA provides a comprehensive list of medical criteria for adults, along with the specific documentation required for each criterion. Common disabilities encompass a range of conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular system disorders, and neurological disorders.
Before initiating the process of filing a disability claim, it is advisable to engage in a conversation with your doctor. Ensuring their willingness to support your claim will be helpful. Insufficient medical documentation coupled with a doctor’s disagreement regarding your claim can significantly hinder the approval of your benefits. It is crucial to establish a collaborative relationship with your healthcare provider to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
This is the last main requirement to qualify for the Supplemental Security Income
To be eligible for disability benefits, an applicant must comply to the criteria for disability and also meet specific work requirements established by Social Security. The work credits for SSDI are determined based on your total annual wages or income from self-employment. Each year, you can accumulate up to 4 credits.
The required amount for earning a work credit varies annually. For instance, in the year 2023, you will earn 1 credit for every $1,640 in wages or self-employment income. By earning $6,560, you will have obtained the maximum of 4 credits for that year. The number of work credits necessary to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age at the onset of your disability.
In general, you require 40 credits, with 20 of those credits being earned within the last 10 years leading up to the year your disability began. However, individuals who are younger may qualify with fewer credits.
Special SSDI benefits for blind or low-vision people
The SSDI system considers a person legally blind if the vision cannot identify objects visible more than 20/200 of their best eye. You are also legally blind if your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with corrective lenses on. You don’t necessarily have to have a guide dog or use a cane to be considered legally blind and qualify for SSDI benefits for visually impaired people.
The SSDI system has several rules for blind people, which recognize the irreversible impact of blindness on the ability to work. It is understood that these people cannot qualify for most job positions, and that is why there is this specific section of benefits. In 2023, the monthly earnings limit is $2,460, and below that number, a persona qualifies to receive these benefits.
If you’ve got any other doubt, don’t hesitate to visit the SSA official webpage here. If you still need any additional help, find your local SSA office and ask everything you need: they’ll be pleased to respond to all your questions.
Can work while receiving SSDI benefits or Money?
you can work while receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits in the United States, but there are a few points you need to be aware of:
- Your benefits may be reduced depending on your earnings. If you earn beyond a certain threshold as decided by the SSA (Social Security Administration), you may no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits.
- The SSA performs periodic reviews to verify if you still have a disability. If your medical condition improves or if you are working substantially, your benefits could stop.
- There are programs like the “trial work period” and “Ticket to Work” that allow you to test your ability to work. These programs can provide job training and other services to help you become self-supporting, without immediately impacting your benefits.
- The SSA has set a limit known as substantial gainful activity (SGA) which restricts how much income you can earn while still collecting SSDI benefits. For example, in 2023, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month (or $2,460 if you are blind). If your earnings exceed these limits, you may not be eligible for disability benefits unless you are participating in a work incentive program.