Understanding social security disability insurance

Disabilities restrict one’s ability to work, and at times, this happens much before retirement. The condition thus takes a toll on one’s physical, emotional, and financial states. Fortunately, the Social Security Disability Insurance program provides benefits for these cases. However, to be eligible for the SSDI, there are multiple criteria that need to be met.

How many work credits does one need to be eligible for SSDI?

The number of work credits depends upon the age at which one became disabled. For example, if an individual is 50 years old at the time of the disability, they need at least 28 work credits, or, they must have worked for seven years (at least five years of which within the span of the last 10 years) to be eligible for the benefits.

What is the required medical eligibility?

The medical condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) disability criteria. Know that these benefits are available only to people with a long-term, severe, total disability.

• Long-term disability: It is applicable when the condition lasts for at least one year or, is expected to last for a year.
• Severe disability: This is when the disability interferes with basic work-related activities.
• Total disability: According to the SSA, total disability is when the person cannot perform “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) for at least a year.

However, if the person is currently working or employed, and makes more money than what is defined by the SSA, then they do not qualify for Social Security disability insurance, as they can perform SGA.

What happens once the disability benefits are approved?

Once one qualifies for the Social Security disability insurance, the benefits flow in following a five-month waiting period. Thereon, they will receive a check every month as part of the disability backpay. Once that is over, the individual gets a disability check each month. Note, if the household income exceeds a certain amount, the person is obliged to pay taxes on the disability benefits. In certain cases, family members are eligible for partial monthly benefits. Benefits are applicable as long as the medical condition restricts one from working. A Continuing Disability Review (CDR) is carried out by the SSA every one to three years to check if the medical condition has improved, redetermining eligibility.

What if the disability benefits are denied?

One can appeal the decision if the benefits are denied. This means the individual must request a review of the denial within 60 days of when the denial letter was received. The application can be denied for medical or non-medical reasons and the process to appeal the decision for each is different.

• The first step in the process is to request for reconsideration, wherein the file is reviewed by a different disability claims examiner.
• If the review is denied a second time, one can request a hearing. This time an administrative law judge working for the SSA reviews the case.