Who is Eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

There are actual multiple ways to get Social Security Disability Benefits. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”), which is federal welfare, Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI) is insurance for those who have worked. That means that to qualify, you need to have worked and paid taxes . The Social Security Administration [SSA] counts work in credits. One credit in 2020 equates to $1,410.00 of earnings. If you earn more, that is fine; however, the SSA allots just 4 credits per year. Your earnings are known by your federal tax filings. Some people are unsure how many credits they have. Call a Social Security Disability Lawyer, and your status can be quickly determined.

How Many Credits Do I Need?

Depending upon your age, you need a certain amount of credits to be eligible for SSDI. Younger people can qualify for disability with less credits than an older person. A person aged 62 or older needs 40 credits, which equates to 10 years of work, to qualify. A person aged 24 or younger needs 6 credits or about a year and one-half of work to be eligible. A person in her 30’s needs 20 credits, which is 5 years of work. A person in his 50’s needs 30 credits or more to be eligible. The older you are, the more opportunity you’ve had to work, according to the Social Security Administration. A Disability Attorney can help you sort through this.

There are some unique situations:

• State Workers: If you worked for a state or local government and did not pay into social security, you may not be eligible.
• Children: Children of disabled persons are eligible for social security payments, payable to the custodial parent.
• Disabled Parent/Spouse: If your disabled parent or spouse has died, you may be eligible as well for disability payments. Your deceased relative’s age at death and contribution into social security factors into eligibility, just like above.

How Much Will I Get with SSDI?

The amount you receive monthly for disability is determined by your contributions over the course of your working career. Older workers remember that the U.S. Dept. of Treasury sent a pamphlet to your home each year, printed in green ink, that listed what you grossed each year in wages. This information is now available online by signing into the Social Security Administration. In addition to listing what you will be entitled to at age 70, at full retirement, and at age 62, the SSA page lists what you would get if you became entitled and what your minor children would receive additionally. A Disability Attorney at Marcotte Law Firm can help you find the information you need.

What About Disability?

In addition to the earnings requirement, a person must also be unable to perform any substantial and gainful employment activity for at least a 12-month period in order to qualify. For some unfortunate diseases or injuries, it is not necessary to wait 12 months before applying for or qualifying for and receiving disability benefits. The SSA does have a 5-month exclusion rule for disability; however, some individuals can also obtain SSI in the interim. An experienced Disability lawyer will help you navigate these benefits and get you everything you deserve.

Experienced Lowell Social Security Disability Attorneys

The Social Security Administration makes it easy for a Lowell SSD lawyer to help you. You don’t have to struggle through the paperwork, doctors appointments, and denials on your own. The SSD Lawyers at Marcotte Law Firm make all the contacts necessary to get a quick approval of your claim. Our Disability Lawyers understand that applying for SSD benefits is complicated, and we do everything we can to make it easy for you.

Whether you’re thinking about applying for Disability or your claim has already been denied, call the Lowell Disability Attorneys at Marcotte Law Firm for a free consultation.