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The Social Security Administration offers Social Security Disability Insurance to qualified individuals with disabilities that prevent them from working. It is a federally funded program that was implemented for those who have accumulated a sufficient amount of work credits through work longevity and paying Social Security taxes.
SSDI is funded through Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) and social security taxes.
To qualify for SSDI, you must first have acquired a sufficient amount of work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. Second, you must also have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.
It is important to note that Social Security Administration’s definition of disability is different from other programs. They are governed by stricter guidelines and follow a step-by-step outline to determine if you are disabled and therefore qualify for SSDI. The Social Security Administration uses these 5 questions to determine if you are disabled:
The SSA does not grant benefits for partial disability or short term disability (a condition that lasts fewer than 12 months). You are considered disabled under the SSA’s rules if you have a medical condition that is expected to last for 12 months or more and is preventing you from working your previous job or any other available jobs in the market. Individuals with a medical condition that is expected to result in death within 12 months also qualify.
You can apply online, in person at your local social security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you decide to apply online you will need to print and review the Adult Disability Checklist located on the SSA’s site. You will then need to complete the Disability Benefit Application and the Medical Release Form. The application process can quickly become confusing which makes it very easy for you to make common application mistakes. Our team here at Reese Legal is here to guide you through the process of applying in order to increase your chances of success. All you need to do is fill out our free case review and we will take it from there.
It is difficult to determine exactly how long it will take the SSA to make a decision on your claim, because the SSA does not have a set response time. However, there are several factors that that influence how long it might take, which are:
There are several things that you can do to increase your chances of winning your SSDI claim, which include:
The amount you will receive for your SSDI benefits depends on the amount of Social Security taxes that you have paid over the years. However, this amount may be decreased if you are receiving workers’ compensation, an uninsured pension or a public disability benefit. The average SSDI payment in 2014 is $1146.18.
Benefits usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis. There are also a number of special rules, or “work incentives,” that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work.
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.
Applying for disability benefits can be helpful for you and your family in the following ways:
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