If you are suffering from a recently diagnosed disability or medical health condition, you might be wondering what makes someone eligible for SSDI. SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is a governmental assistance program. It provides monthly monetary support for those who live with certain disabilities and are unable to work, either by returning to previous forms of employment or finding new ones.
When these situations arise, you might be interested in filing a claim for SSDI benefits. It can be essential to the positive outcome of your claim to hire the services of a trusted Elk Grove SSDI attorney. They can help you from the beginning of the application process to the necessary hearings to any potential appeals that are needed. An SSDI attorney can also review your medical records and determine if you are eligible for benefits or not, thus saving you time.
What Is SSDI?
SSDI is a governmental benefit that allows you to receive monthly financial payments if you have been in the workforce for a significant amount of time and, during that time, paid into the Social Security system. If you become disabled or suffer from a serious medical condition, and you can no longer return to work or find new employment, you might be eligible to apply for these benefits.
SSDI is not based on your income. Rather, your eligibility for SSDI is based on the number of work credits you were able to collect over your lifetime’s worth of employment. If you did not pay into the Social Security system via taxes or do not have the necessary amount of work credits, you will most likely not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
What Are the Disability Requirements for SSDI?
One of the many requirements to receive SSDI assistance is that you are considered disabled. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, will determine if you are truly disabled based on the following:
- You are no longer able to perform your current work due to your condition.
- You are unable to perform any other kind of work due to your condition.
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or, it will result in your passing.
These disabilities or medical conditions can include the following:
- Cancer, such as cancers of the breasts, prostate, stomach, bladder, lungs, thyroid, brain, pancreas, testicles, or skin
- Skin issues, such as severe burns
- Arthritis, both inflammatory and rheumatoid
- Lyme disease
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Sickle cell disease
- HIV or AIDS
- Thyroid conditions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or OCD
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back, hip, knee, ankle, neck, or head injuries
- COPD
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic migraines
- Chronic fatigue conditions
- Aorta aneurysm
- Lung transplants
- Loss of senses, such as sight and hearing
- Loss of speech
It is important to remember that this list is not exhaustive, so your condition might still qualify.
Are You Being Prevented From Working or Finding New Work Due to Your Disability?
When determining your eligibility for SSDI benefits, you will be asked if your disability or condition keeps you from performing your previous kind of employment. If it is determined by the SSA that your condition does not keep you from your previously performed work, then your claim will be denied.
Additionally, you might be asked if this disability or condition keeps you from finding a different kind of employment. If it is found that you cannot perform any kind of employment due to your disability or condition, then your claim can move forward. However, if the SSA determines that there is work that you can do, no matter your condition, your claim will most likely be denied.
FAQs
Q: How Can an SSDI Attorney Help Me and My SSDI Application?
A: While it is not legally required to retain the services of an SSDI attorney when filling out your application for these benefits, they can prove essential to the success of your claim. An attorney can:
- Ensure that all paperwork is correctly filled out and filed.
- Help you schedule and remember important court hearings.
- Advocate for and represent you during any appeals that might come after a claim denial.
Q: What Are the Most Approved Disabilities for SSDI?
A: The most approved disabilities for Social Security Disability Insurance tend to be arthritis and other conditions that affect the performance of an individual’s musculoskeletal system. This is mainly because arthritis is a common ailment among the population of the United States and, statistically speaking, affects more members of the workforce.
Q: How Can I Find Out How Many Work Credits I Have?
A: When applying for SSDI, you will want to determine the amount of work credits you have, as this number will be required in your application. First, you will want to visit the Social Security Administration’s website. From there, you can create an account or sign in if you already have one. Once you have logged in, your credits will be listed beneath the “Eligibility and Earnings” tab. Otherwise, an SSDI attorney can help you make this determination.
Q: What Is the Social Security Grid System?
A: If your specific disability is not listed on the SSA’s disability page, you may still have options available to you. The SSA can use a detailed grid system, which determines the nature of your disability and if it truly affects your ability to work. This system will take into account your age, job skills, education level, work experience, and your level of residential functional capacity to make this determination.
Contact a Trusted Elk Grove SSDI Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with a medical condition or suffers a disability, you might be eligible for SSDI benefits. While an attorney is not necessary to file your claim and begin the application process, they can prove essential to the positive outcome and success of said claim. The SSA denies more claims than it approves, and an SSDI attorney can make all the difference when guiding this determination.
With over 30 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Gade & Parekh, LLP, have been advocating for their clients and navigating them through the complicated application and claims processes. Don’t let confusing paperwork and missed deadlines get in the way of you receiving the assistance and benefits you deserve. Contact our offices today to let us review your case. We can discuss what options might be available and help determine the right course of action.
