Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal income assistance program. It provides income support to working-age adults who cannot work due to some form of illness, disability, or incapacitation. It is funded by Social Security taxes. Anyone who has paid Social Security taxes and meets specific age, income, disability, and work requirements may be eligible for benefits.
To apply for SSDI, you must apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS) will evaluate your application and provide you with benefits if you are eligible.
It is important to understand that SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based program. It provides eligible elderly, blind, disabled, and/or low-income individuals and their qualifying family members with cash benefits to help them meet their needs for food, shelter, and clothing. This contrasts with SSDI, a disability-based program that assists insured, disabled adults below retirement age who earned enough working credits to qualify for benefits.
To learn more about applying for disability benefits, contact the Underwood Law Office at (972) 535-6377. A Prosper Social Security Disability lawyer can help you apply for benefits or appeal a denial decision from the SSA.
Social Security Disability Benefits Might Change as You Age
SSDI benefits provide a monthly income to eligible applicants and their qualifying family members if the applicant paid Social Security taxes while they worked. You can apply for benefits if you are unable to work and require financial assistance. You may continue to receive benefits as long as your medical condition does not improve, and you do not earn more than the minimum monthly income allowed by the SSA. You may also continue to receive benefits as long as you do not reach retirement age. If you reach retirement age but are otherwise eligible for benefits, you will continue to receive benefits, but they will change from Social Security Disability Income to Social Security Retirement Income. However, the same is not true for SSI benefits. If you are 65 or older, you may qualify for SSI benefits.
For a free legal consultation with a social security disability lawyer serving Prosper, call (972) 535-6377
You Must Meet the Eligibility Criteria for SSDI Benefits
There are four key criteria for SSDI: disability, age, income, and work history. We discuss each of these criteria below.
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Disability
You must have a disability or medical condition that prevents you from working. Your condition must have made you unable to work for at least 12 consecutive months or is expected to result in your death.
The SSA provides a listing of impairments for adults that explains which disabilities and illnesses might make an applicant eligible for benefits. These health conditions include certain cancers, blindness, respiratory disorders, and musculoskeletal illnesses. The SSA also provides a listing of childhood disabilities and illnesses.
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Monthly Income
You must meet the SSA’s earnings requirements of the current year to be eligible for SSDI benefits. In 2020, if you earn less than $1,260 per month—or less than $2,110 per month if you are blind—then you qualify for benefits. In 2021, these amounts increase to $1,310 for non-blind applicants and $2,190 for blind applicants. If you earn more than these amounts, you are categorized as being able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
You must report all of your earnings to the SSA when applying for benefits, including tips, alimony, child support payments, and certain classes of investment income. Spousal support and earnings from jobs that do not provide you with a W2 might be excluded from your income. You must also report changes in earnings to the SSA if you start to earn more per month or lose some of your income.
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You Age
SSDI benefits provide a monthly income to eligible applicants and their qualifying family members if the applicant paid Social Security taxes while they worked. You can apply for benefits if you are unable to work and require financial assistance. You may continue to receive benefits as long as your medical condition does not improve, and you do not earn more than the minimum monthly income allowed by the SSA. You may also continue to receive benefits as long as you do not reach retirement age.
If you reach retirement age but are otherwise eligible for benefits, you will continue to receive benefits, but they will change from Social Security Disability Income to Social Security Retirement Income.
However, the same is not true for SSI benefits. If you are 65 or older, you may qualify for SSI benefits.
You Must Meet the Eligibility Criteria for SSDI Benefits
There are four key criteria for SSDI: disability, age, income, and work history. We discuss each of these criteria below.
Disability
You must have a disability or medical condition that prevents you from working. Your condition must have made you unable to work for at least 12 consecutive months or is expected to result in your death.
The SSA provides a listing of impairments for adults that explains which disabilities and illnesses might make an applicant eligible for benefits. These health conditions include certain cancers, blindness, respiratory disorders, and musculoskeletal illnesses. The SSA also provides a listing of childhood disabilities and illnesses.
Monthly Income
You must meet the SSA’s earnings requirements of the current year to be eligible for SSDI benefits. In 2020, if you earn less than $1,260 per month—or less than $2,110 per month if you are blind—then you qualify for benefits. In 2021, these amounts increase to $1,310 for non-blind applicants and $2,190 for blind applicants. If you earn more than these amounts, you are categorized as being able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
You must report all of your earnings to the SSA when applying for benefits, including tips, alimony, child support payments, and certain classes of investment income. Spousal support and earnings from jobs that do not provide you with a W2 might be excluded from your income. You must also report changes in earnings to the SSA if you start to earn more per month or lose some of your income.
Age
You must be of working age to receive SSDI benefits. For individuals born after 1960, their normal retirement age (NRA) is 67. For people born before 1937, the NRA is 65, and it is between 65 and 67 for people born between 1937 and 1960.
As long as you maintain your eligibility, you can continue to receive your benefits until your retirement age. At that point, your benefits will change from SSDI to Social Security Retirement Income.
Work History
As mentioned above, SSDI is funded by Social Security taxes. You must have worked long enough—and recently enough—in a qualifying job to be eligible for benefits. You earn credits toward eligibility every year you work in a qualifying job. You can usually earn four credits per year. Your age will determine how many work credits you must earn before receiving SSDI benefits.
If you would like some help with your disability benefits application, contact the Underwood Law Office at (972) 535-6377. A Prosper Social Security Disability lawyer can look into your case to determine your eligibility for various benefits and help you apply for benefits.
You Need Proper Documentation to Apply for Benefits or You Might Get Denied
You can apply for SSDI in person at an SSA office or via mail. You can also apply for benefits on the SSA’s online services page. Gather the documents below before starting your application:
- Details on birth and citizenship
- Details on marital status (if applicable)
- Biographical details of all your dependents (if applicable)
- Military service details and benefits (if applicable)
- Employment details for the last 24 months
- Details on all income, aid, and benefits you receive
- Medical record details and health history
- Bank information
- Social Security number
The SSA provides an Online Adult Disability Application checklist to help applicants so that they have everything required by the application.
It is not uncommon for applications to be denied. You might be denied benefits because of the following:
- You do not have a qualifying disability
- You do not meet the SSA’s income or age requirements
- You did not follow treatment and reporting protocols
- You submitted false or incorrect information, even if accidentally
- You missed filing deadlines
- You were incarcerated for 30 days or more
Contact the Underwood Law Office for Assistance
To assess your case and determine the best path forward, contact the Underwood Law Office at (972) 535-6377. A Prosper Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather evidence and understand the various filing requirements you must meet to receive benefits. If you received a denial, our team can help you file an appeal as well. Do not hesitate to contact us today.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form