If you’re no longer capable of working due to an injury or illness, whether mental or physical, you may be qualified to apply for Social Security Disability benefits or SSD benefits. If you qualify for a social security claim for disability, you’ll be eligible to receive a cash allowance and other social security benefits for people with disabilities.
The Basics About Disability Benefits
The SSA, or Social Security Administration, has two disability programs for disabled people or the elderly. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs assist people with disabilities.
The SSI program provides insurance benefits to individuals with disabilities (both children and adults) who have low or limited income and resources. The SSDI program, on the other hand, provides benefits to your family members of disabled people such as their spouse, children, or adult children disabled before the age of 22. That is if they’ve been working long enough and have been paying their Social Security taxes.
Who is Qualified to Apply for a Disability Insurance?
Any disabled person is qualified to apply for disability benefits. While the two programs mentioned are different, the medical requirements to get disability insurance are generally the same.
When applying for disability benefits, you must have a medical condition or sickness that may:
- Last for at least one year or result in death
- Prevent you from doing substantial activities or do work that you did before
- Prevent you from adjusting to another work
To start the application process, you may request a medical record, that indicates that you have a disability, from your physician or therapist.
For SSDI beneficiaries, you’re required to accumulate a certain amount of work credit to qualify. The Social Security office determines the number of work credits needed based on your age and when you started to have a disability. An employment record showing that you’ve worked for at least five years in the past ten years before you’ve become disabled. Your payments to your FICA taxes can also affect the money you’ll receive.
SSI beneficiaries, on the other hand, have different requirements based on the state where you’re based. This is because the budget for an SSI benefit is shared between your state government and SSA. The basic requirements for an SSI disability program include:
- Being disabled or of old age (65 years old or older)
- Being an American citizen
- Having low income
Even though you’re not a U.S. citizen (Green Card holders, refugees, or serving in the military), you may still qualify to apply for benefits under the SSI program through a more rigorous procedure.
How Much Money Will a Claimant Receive?
For SSDI, qualified beneficiaries may receive monthly benefits ranging from $1,100 to $1,300. After two years of continuously receiving these benefits, they will also qualify for Medicare.
For SSDI, the benefits you will receive will depend upon your income and assets. Your state will determine how much money is payable to you based on these. To qualify, your overall assets must be below $2,000 if you’re single, or $3,000 if you have a partner. On average, you’ll receive a monthly payment of $771 a month if you’re single, and $1,157 or more if you’re married. You may also qualify for food stamps or Medicaid after two years of receiving disability payments from the federal government.
Statistically, hiring a social security attorney notably increases in applying for a social security benefit. A Jackson social security lawyer can help you in your appeal because they know all the complex rules in Social Security and the specific strategies on how to apply for a social security benefit.
Applying for social security disability benefits can be a tiring and confusing process. To help you when you file for disability benefits, find an attorney that is experienced in processing SSI benefits and SSDI benefits, worker’s compensation insurance, and other Social Security claims. If you’re considering applying for social security benefits, our Jackson social security disability attorneys can help.
Here at The Rollins Firm, we have Jackson social security lawyers who can provide you the legal assistance you need. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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