Until recent years, all Social Security Disability claims were treated equally. The most severe of claims were processed just like those that were less severe in nature. Someone suffering from a life-threatening disease would be treated the same way as someone suffering from chronic back pain, and would have to wait just as long to have their Social Security Disability benefits approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
You cannot receive disability benefits based on anyone’s disability except your own. You can, however, receive survivor’s benefits under certain circumstances. It’s also worth noting that in some cases, your deceased spouse’s earnings and contributions to FICA can be considered in determining the amount of disability benefits you are entitled to if you are also disabled.
Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI, is a needs-based program that is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). When applying for SSI, you must meet certain income and asset restrictions in order to qualify. If you are wondering whether or not you might qualify for the SSA’s Supplemental Security Income program and how the SSA calculates your assets, the following questions and answers may be of some assistance.
The amount of years worked that is necessary to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age. Social Security quantifies your work history in terms of work credits. Typically, you will have needed to have worked 5 of the last 10 years to have enough work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Usually, you need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years.
Even if your physician states that you are disabled, it is important to remember that Social Security has a very strict definition of disability. Accordingly, you cannot obtain disability benefits solely on the basis of your doctor’s report.
In order to qualify for disability benefits, Social Security usually requires you to have worked at least five of the past ten years.
The Social Security Administration awards you work credits when you are employed in a job and pay Social Security taxes. These credits are based solely on earnings and are used to assess your eligibility for disability, retirement, and survivor’s benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has instituted a five month waiting period to ensure that benefits are not paid to people with short-term disabilities. The SSA will award disability benefits only for total disability and only after you have shown that you have been disabled for at least five complete calendar months. Benefits will be paid on the sixth full month after the onset of disability. You will not be entitled to any benefits during the waiting period.
Unfortunately, because of the vast influx of new applications and the economic uncertainty of Social Security, over 60% of disability applications are denied at the Initial Stage. Even if you suffer from a disabling condition that prevents you from working, you will most likely be denied disability benefits when you first apply. Further, 86% of those who appeal their denials and seek Reconsideration are again denied, while 37% of those who request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) are also denied.
The qualifications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are more rigorous than those for SSI. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must meet all of the following criteria:
The Social Security Administration does not provide a means for claimants to receive medical treatment, and this is a painful catch-22 for those who need to demonstrate they are getting regular checkups. Because people need medical care and treatment as part of the disability application process, this is a difficult situation for many claimants to end up having to contend with.
