Social Security benefits refer to the partial replacement income a person receives because they cannot continue working due to a prolonged illness or injury. The SSA pays out benefits to people who could not work for one year or more. The benefits are provided monthly until the person can start working again and earn a living for themselves. Social Security Benefits come with some special rules as well, like work incentives, which provide continued health care and benefits to help the person go back to their normal work life.
To qualify for SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, a person must:
- Have worked the job(s)that Social Security covers.
- Have a condition that qualifies Social Security’s disability definition.
Let’s look at these details in detail.
How Much Work Does a Person Need?
Once a person meets the definition of disability, it’s incumbent that they must have been employed long enough at a job that’s covered by Social Security. The work credits a person needs for Social Security benefits are valued based on the total self-employed earnings or yearly wages. Each year, a person can earn at most 4 credits.
The earnings one needs for work credits can change every year. For instance, in 2022, a person can earn 1 credit for every $1510 in self-employment earnings or wages. Once they’ve received $6040 during the year, they’ll have earned 4 credits for 2022.
How many Work Credits Does a Person Need?
The number may differ depending on the applicant’s age. Typically, they’ll need 40 credits. 20 out of these 40 credits must be earned during the last 10 years – including the year of disability. However, younger applicants may be eligible with fewer work credits.
What Qualifies as a Disability?
Under Social Security, the definition of a disability is a little different than it is in other programs. Social Security only pays for a person’s total disability. A person with a partial or short-term disability receives no benefits.
A person qualifies for the benefits if:
- They cannot engage or work in SGA (substantial gainful activity) due to their medical condition
- They cannot perform the tasks they could previously do or adjust to another work due to their medical condition.
- Their medical condition is expected to last or has lasted for a minimum of a year, or it is to potentially result in their death.
This definition is strict. A person who qualifies for the above conditions is eligible to apply for the benefits. Moreover, Social Security rules presume that families with working members have other sources of income to provide for the disabled members with short-term disabilities.
It’s important to note that meeting these conditions doesn’t ensure that you will receive your benefits. That’s why it’s essential to hire a Social Security Disability lawyer. If you’re looking for an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in North Little Rock, AR, The Law Offices of Lisa Douglas can help you.
Lisa is also a personal injury lawyer. If you’re interested in booking a consultation, call 501-798-0004 or visit the website.
