Getting SSDI in Mississippi: What You Need to Know

SSDI benefits

Mississippi residents with disabilities may be eligible for monthly payments from the federal Social Security Disability Insurance program. Social Security disability payments granted to a Mississippi citizen depend on the applicant’s work history and prior earnings. The SSDI program offers payments to those who have worked for a certain amount of time and cannot do so because of an impairment that will persist for at least a year or end in their death.

  • Getting SSDI in Mississippi: What You Need to Know
  • How Do You Qualify for SSDI?
  • What is the SSDI benefit amount?

The amount of your SSDI benefits payment is determined by your “insured earnings”—the income on which you contributed to Social Security taxes before being incapacitated.

How Do You Qualify for SSDI?

Mississippi citizens seeking Social Security Disability benefits must first be medically eligible. Their previous job or self-employment generated work credits that may be used to reduce SSDI benefits. To qualify, the applicant must have 40 labor credits, half of which were earned during the previous decade.  You receive one work credit for every $1,470 you make, and you may earn a maximum of four in a year. Eligibility for younger candidates may be reduced.

Should you have sufficient labor credits to qualify for SSDI, you also must be eligible medically by proving that you are disabled. If your disease is on the Compassionate Allowances list, which includes cancer, deteriorating illnesses, and other life-threatening diseases, it will accelerate your SSDI application. A social security lawyer may be required to win your claim.

How to apply for SSDI

Applying for SSDI benefits online at the Social Security Administration’s website is the most convenient method. You may also contact the Social Security Administration or drop by one of their social security offices located across Mississippi. These SSA field offices are distinct from those run by Mississippi Human Services, which oversees programs including (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). 

How to File an Appeal in Mississippi

If the social security office has denied your SSDI application, you may submit a reassessment request to the state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS). As a result, you’ll be able to provide additional evidence.

Even if you disagree with the verdict, you have the option of taking your case to an Administrative Law Judge. If it doesn’t work, you may ask the Appeals Council to look into it. The reconsideration procedure may take between 3 and 5 months.

According to the SSA office, the most common reason for denial is inadequate proof of having a disabling medical condition. Ensuring that you have the necessary paperwork and proof on hand when applying for SSDI may save you some time and trouble in appealing a disability application rejection. If you must go through the disability court procedure, you should present your social security claim.

What is the SSDI benefit amount?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your SSDI payments based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) and primary insurance amount (PIA). The method that Social Security employs is very complex. Most individuals will not be interested in computing their disability insurance benefits on their own, mainly because the Social Security system can provide a reasonable approximation.

SSDI Payment Average

To give an overview of how much social security insurance provides, the average SSDI amount payable in 2021 is $1,277 per month, while individuals with a high salary in previous years may get up to $3,148.

SSDI benefits do not change by state; your SSDI benefits will remain the same regardless of your residence.

How to Calculate SSDI Benefits

  • Average Indexed Monthly Earnings(AIME)

It will first calculate your AIME. SSA will index your lifetime income to account for inflation throughout your working years. This ensures that future payments reflect the increase.

To calculate your SSA will need up to 35 years of employment. The SSA sums together the highest-indexed-earning years and splits them by the overall period of months. You get your AIME by dividing the average by 3.

  • Primary Insurance Amount

Your benefits start with your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The SSA calculates your PIA by multiplying three preset percentages of your AIME. They are termed “bend points” because they are derived from the computation—changes in the annual national average pay index.

Calculating your SSDI amount takes a combination of all mentioned above.

Ninety percent of the first $996 of mean indexed monthly income, thirty-two percent of the next $6,002, and fifteen percent of the next $6,002.

It will be recorded to the nearest lesser multiple of $0.10 if the percentages do not equal $0.10.

Consult a Social Security Lawyer Today

Having a social security lawyer may be crucial if you submit an appeal after Social Security denies your claim. A lawyer can assist you in completing the SSDI application and collecting medical documents and other proof for your disability appeal process. In addition, they may help you prepare for appointments with your local Social Security office and examine your application for errors or omissions. Direct access to your Social Security records from the SSA for your representative. 

If you’re in Mississippi and looking for legal advice on your SSDI benefits, call Rollins Law Firm on 601-202-5101 to schedule a consultation with one of our Social Security attorneys. We are a team of experienced social security attorneys in Mississippi dedicated to helping you get the disability benefits you deserve.

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