ssdi benefits Archives - Everday Resources

Social Security Disability Insurance Requirements

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you must show medical and non-medical needs. There are three basic conditions for being considered eligible for SSDI payments, they are:

You must show a “medically determinable” disability that significantly limits your ability to be gainfully employed.

Your medical condition must either be terminal or be expected to last no less than 12 months.

You must have earned a sufficient number of standard work credits with the Social Security Administration.

When used to consider the eligibility of SSDI recipients, gainful employment is defined by the SSA as earning or being able to earn, about $1,300 per month or more. This limit is $2,190 if your disability is blindness.

In addition to the medical requirements of proving a medically determinable disability, and that the disability is expected to last a minimum of 12 months, or result in the death of the recipient, there is a need to show that you are “insured” with the Social Security Administration by having earned enough work credits during the time you were employed.

Non-Medical Requirements

When you are employed, you pay federal Social Security payroll taxes, a portion of which is FICA. Taxes collected under FICA go into the Social Security trust fund and are used to pay SSDI benefits to recipients. Part of the application process for SSDI will be a mandatory review of your employment history to show that you have contributed to the system such that you qualify for benefits.

The work credits required to be eligible vary with the age of the applicant. If the applicant is under 24, they will only need to have worked for about 1.5 years, accumulating a minimum of 6 work credits. Applicants between 24 and 30 will need to show a work history of between 2 and 4.5 years, with a minimum of 8 to 18 work credits. Those between 31 and 42 will need to show 5 years of work and 20 credits to gain eligibility. After 42, you are required to earn a minimum of 2 credits every 2 years.

Documents sufficient for proving work history include income tax returns, pay stubs, W2 forms, detailed job history, and so on.

If you fail to meet the required number of work credits for SSDI, you may still be able to qualify for SSI. To show a need for SSI you will need to show less than $2,000 in assets, or $3,000 for couples, and limited income.

It is no secret that the acceptance rate for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has been decreasing steadily for the last 15 years. In 2001, the award rate for SSDI was 46%. By 2006, the award rate had dropped all the way to 38%, and by the end of 2015, less than one third – just 32% – of all applications were awarded benefits. At the same time, the number of benefits being terminated has increased each year since 2011. So how can you make sure your claim is accepted? Here are 7 common mistakes to avoid that will help ensure you get the awards benefit you deserve.

Too much income: Individuals who are currently making over $1,130 per month in income will not be eligible to collect SSDI. However, this limit does not apply to unearned income, such as investments, interest, or any other household income not earned directly by the individual applying for disability.
Temporary disability: Any disability that is not expected to impact the applicant’s ability to work for at least 12 months will automatically be denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The SSA was unable to reach you: Although it may sound obvious, it is important that the contact information on your application is accurate, and that you respond to any and all efforts from the SSA to reach you. Many SSDI claims are denied every month because the SSA is unable to contact the applicant.
Technical rationale: This means that the applicant may be qualified to perform alternative duties and functions to maintain employment in some other role. This is typically referred to as residual functional capacity (RFC). If the SSA determines that your RFC does not prevent you from performing the necessary tasks for certain jobs – i.e., clerical data entry – you may be denied SSDI benefits.
Place of residence: Believe it or not, where you live matters. Sometimes the reason for an SSDI award or denial can be as simple as the presiding judge. In certain areas or jurisdictions, the person deciding the case may be very lenient or very strict. Therefore, two people facing otherwise very similar circumstances may end up with very different judgements.
Not complying with SSA requests: Sometimes a SSDI application may need additional documentation or medical records to support the claim. If the SSA contacts you about missing information, or asks that you submit additional forms, it is important that you follow up as quickly as possible. Failing to comply with such a request will almost always result in a denial.
Application errors: Perhaps the most common reason why an application is denied is because it contains errors. Even a small error can cause the SSDI application to be denied. It is important to make sure you take the time to read the application entirely, fill it out to completion, and double check for any mistakes or omissions.

Of course, if your claim is denied, that does not mean the fight is over. Too many people who receive a denial just give up. However, over 65% of the people who file for an appeal and get a hearing are awarded benefits. But perhaps the most important thing you can do to make sure your claim is approved is to get help before you apply. You don’t have to go through the process alone, and finding the right guidance can be the difference between a quick approval or a lengthy battle.