What Qualifies You For Social Security Disability

Were There When You Get Your First Job

Every time you change jobs, your employer verifies your Social Security number with us. Doing so helps reduce fraud and improves the accuracy of your earnings records, ensuring you get the benefits you have earned.

Employers collect FICA, or Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholdings, and report earnings electronically to us. This is how we track your earnings and is how you earn Social Security retirement, disability, spouses, and survivors coverage for you and your family. A worker earns up to four Social Security credits each year and needs 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to qualify for retirement benefits. Its vital that you work at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits to be based on your own work record.

Opening a free allows you to verify your earnings history and see if you will get Social Security retirement benefits. A secure also lets you estimate future benefits.

Listing 800 Skin Disorders

There are many different types of skin disorders that we hear about on a daily basis, but just because a skin disorder is inconvenient, that doesnt mean that it will necessarily qualify to receive SSD benefits. To qualify for benefits, the skin disorder must be disabling and prevent you from performing the duties of your work. Some of he most common skin disorders that may qualify to receive benefits are Bullous Disease, Chronic Skin Infections, and Ichthyosis. View full Blue Book List here

Most Common Qualifying Conditions For Ssdi In New York

The most common qualifying medical conditions in New York SSDI are mental disorders. These include depression, somatic disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.

Many individuals have more than one qualifying medical disorder. Remember that having a medical condition in any category that qualifies under the Social Security Administration rules may not be enough to qualify for disability benefits. You must still meet all other eligibility requirements.

Don’t Miss: Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Va Rating

How Much Work Do You Need

In addition to meeting our definition of disability, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.

Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.

The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2021, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,470 in wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $5,880, you’ve earned your four credits for the year.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

For more information on whether you qualify, refer to How You Earn Credits.

Listing 600 Genitourinary Disorders

Genitourinary Disorder refers to a disorder that impacts your kidney function, urinary tract or your reproductive system. Typically you will need to be required to receive dialysis for your genitourinary condition to qualify to receive benefits and the SSA will evaluate your case based on your medical history, your renal function before dialysis, copies of your biopsies, a complete record of your therapy attempted and how the condition impairs your ability to work. Common conditions included in this category include Diabetic Nephropathy, Kidney Failure, and Kidney Cancers. View full Blue Book List here

Don’t Miss: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay

Benefits For Disabled Widows Or Widowers

If something happens to a worker, benefits may be payable to their widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse with a disability if the following conditions are met:

• The widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse is between ages 50 and 60.
• The widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse has a medical condition that meets the definition of disability for adults and the disability started before or within seven years of the worker’s death.

Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses cannot apply online for survivors benefits. However, if they want to apply for these benefits, they should contact Social Security immediately at 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.

We use the same definition of disability for widows and widowers as we do for workers.

Let Us Help You With Your Social Security Disability Claim

Even if you clearly qualify for SSDI benefits, you shouldn’t be surprised if your application for benefits is denied. Unfortunately, the SSA denies many legitimate claims. If you need help filling out your initial application for benefits or fighting for the benefits you deserve, our Roswell Social Security disability lawyers are here to help. Call our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Don’t Miss: Is Ssdi Taxable In California

The Disability Application Process

Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:

• You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
• You complete and submit your application.
• We review your application to make sure you meet some for disability benefits.
• We check whether you worked enough years to qualify.
• We evaluate any current work activities.
• We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
• This State agency makes the disability determination decision.

To learn more about who decides if you are disabled, read our publication .

Once You’ve Applied

Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed

Look For Our Response

Youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.

Check The Status

You can check the status of your application online using your personal mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Appeal A Decision

• Reconsideration.

You Have Been Convicted Of A Crime

Certain conditions related to conviction of a crime or imprisonment will prevent you from receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits. They are as follows.

• You are in prison after being convicted of a felony, unless you are in a court-approved rehabilitation program that is likely to result in your getting a job when you get released, and your release is expected to occur within a reasonable amount of time.
• You were injured while committing a felony and were convicted of the crime. The impairmentor the worsening of an existing impairmentthat you suffered during the commission of a felony cannot be used as a basis for applying for disability benefits.
• You were injured while in prison. The impairmentor the worsening of an existing impairmentthat you suffered while you were in prison cannot be used to obtain benefits. But you can generally receive benefits after being released from prison.

However, it’s worthwhile to apply for SSDI benefits even if one of the above situations apply to you, because even if you can’t get cash benefits, you may be granted a period of benefit-free disability that will “freeze” your earnings record, keeping your eventual disability, retirement, or dependents benefits from decreasing.

Note these situations do not prevent you from receiving SSI disability benefits, although being incarcerated does keep you from collecting SSI benefits.

You May Like: Va Medical Retirement Calculator

Your Disability Won’t Last Long Enough Or Isn’t Severe Enough

To qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits, the Social Security Administration must believe that your impairment is severe enough to last at least 12 months or result in your death. The only exception to this duration requirement is for blind SSI applicants.

Many claimslike those based on bone fractures resulting from acute trauma, such as automobile or motorcycle accidentsare denied because they are not likely to cause disability for 12 months. Almost all bone fractures heal in less than a year. However, if you have severe bone fractures that aren’t healed after six months, the SSA is then likely to think your impairment will last a year. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis.

In addition, your medical condition must cause you severe limitations to qualify for SSDI or SSI. Most claims are denied simply because the applicant’s impairment was not severe enough .

Apply For Benefits Online

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. Follow these easy steps to apply online for disability:

• To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click Next.
• On that page, review the Getting Ready section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
• Select Start A New Application.
• We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
• You will then sign into your mySocial Security account, or you will be prompted to create one.
• Complete the application.

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older.
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death and
• Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days.

Note: If your application was recently denied, our application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.

You may be able to file online for SSI at the same time that you file for SSDI benefits. Once you complete the online process above, a Social Security representative will contact you if we need additional information.

You May Like: Can You Get Disability For Degenerative Disc Disease

Listing 700 Hematological Disorders

Hematological Disorders refer to disorders that affect your blood. Some disorders include blood diseases such as anemia and hemophilia. This category also includes circulatory problems such as Raynauds Disease and Chronic Venous Insufficiency , as well as some conditions that affect the lymph nodes. View full Blue Book List here

How Common Is It For Beneficiaries To Return To Work

Both Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security provide incentives for beneficiaries to work. Disability Insurance beneficiaries are encouraged to work up to their full capacity and can earn an unlimited amount for up to 12 months without losing any benefits. Beneficiaries who work for more than 12 months and have earnings above the substantial gainful activity level cease to receive a monthly benefit. If at any point in the next five years their condition worsens and they are not able to continue working above the substantial gainful activity level, however, they are eligible for expedited reinstatement of their benefits. This means they do not need to repeat the entire, and typically lengthy, disability-determination process that they initially went through to qualify for benefits.

Supplemental Security beneficiaries who are able to work are encouraged to do so as well. Their benefits are reduced based on their earningsafter the first $85 of earnings each month, which is not counted against the benefitbut by only $1 for every $2 of earnings. Beneficiaries who are able to do some work will therefore always be better off with both earnings and a reduced benefit than just the benefit alone.

Also Check: How Much Does Permanent Disability Pay In California

Trauma And Stress Disorders

These disorders may have similar results to obsessive-compulsive disorders and neurological disorders, but they are often caused by some significantly traumatic event or because of extreme stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder is the most common of these disorders. Often, after witnessing or being involved in a very traumatic event, people suffering from these disorders find themselves facing symptoms that include depression, flashbacks, lack of interest or enjoyment, constant distress, aggression, overreactions, fear, anger, and trouble sleeping.

These disorders can often place a huge toll on a persons day-to-day life, and may make daily tasks and work tasks nearly impossible. Often, people with a history of military service or victims of traumatic accidents or crime face these kinds of disorders. If their case is severe enough, qualifying for SSD may help support them.

Eligibility For Disability Benefits

Social Security will only provide benefits in cases where a person has a total disability, and it will not address partial disabilities or short-term disabilities. A condition will only be considered a disability if it has already lasted for at least 12 months, if it is expected to affect a person for one year or more, or if it is expected to result in death. To qualify as a total disability, a condition must cause a person to be unable to do work that they had done previously, and a person must be unable to adjust to other forms of work.

While a person will usually apply for disability benefits if they are unemployed because of their health conditions, they may qualify for benefits if they are working but earn less than the amount that Social Security considers to be substantial gainful activity . In 2021, SGA is defined as an average monthly income of $1,310 or $2,190 for a person who is blind.

Certain types of conditions will automatically qualify as disabilities, as long as they have lasted or are expected to last for at least 12 months. These conditions are included in what is known as the Listing of Impairments. If a condition is listed as one of these types of impairments, it may still qualify as a disability if it is functionally the same as a listed impairment or if medical evidence shows that the condition prevents a person from maintaining substantial gainful activity.

Also Check: Max Disability Payment Ca

What Happens If The Adult Child Gets Married

If he or she receives benefits as a disabled “adult child,” the benefits generally end if he or she gets married. However, some marriages are considered protected.

The rules vary depending on the situation. Contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the benefits can continue.

1-800-772-1213

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.

The Ssas Definition Of Disability

The Social Security Administration has strict requirements that you must meet to be considered disabled and therefore eligible for disability benefits. The SSA will consider you disabled if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You cannot do the work you did before
• You cannot adjust to other work
• Your disability is expected to last at least 12 months

There are no benefits available for partial or short-term disability, but you can get a closed period of full disability benefits if you are out of work for more than 12 months then go back to work

While these criteria sound straightforward, its important to understand that the SSA determines whether or not you are disabled. You will need to carefully document your disability to support your claim this is where a Baltimore Social Security lawyer can help.

You May Like: How To File For Disability In Missouri

Impairments That Qualify For Social Security Benefits

Do you have a disability or impairment that severely impacts your quality of life and prevents you from working or performing routine tasks at least part of the time? If so, then you may qualify for social security disability benefits. Social Security benefits can provide you with a form of income to make up for the lost income that your disability or impairment causes.

Here is a list of conditions that qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have any of these conditions, there is a very good chance that you could be eligible for Social Security Benefits.

Musculoskeletal Problems These include back injuries, or anything that has a strong negative impact on your spine or muscles, such as herniated discs or degenerative disc disease.

Cardiovascular Conditions Examples of cardiovascular conditions include coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Sensory and Speech Issues Sensory and speech issues are issues that impair your vision, speech, hearing, taste, smell, or sense of touch.

Respiratory Illnesses Respiratory illnesses include asthma, COPD, and other issues that affect the respiratory system and the breathing process.

Mental Disorders Examples include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, and retardation.

Immune System Disorders These are illness that have a strong negative impact on the immune system, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and AIDS.

Malignant Neoplastic Diseases These include cancers such as brain cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia.

Does Ptsd Qualify You For Social Security Disability Benefits

by Guadalupe Ovalle | Oct 5, 2020 | SSD Benefits

If you or a loved one is currently experiencing difficulties from post-traumatic stress disorder , you may be wondering if PTSD qualifies as a disability. Yes, the Social Security Administration includes PTSD in their listing of disabling impairments under mental disorders.

So, how can you get disability for PTSD? To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you need to meet the criteria specified by the SSA, provide medical documentation, and prove that you have limitations to work. Keep reading for more information on whether your condition qualifies.

Need immediate help? Find out how Crest SSD can help by filling out this free evaluation form.

Recommended Reading: Va Disability Change Direct Deposit