How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

January 10, 2013

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security disability benefits provide an important source of income to people who are unable to work because of a physical or mental disability. A person's eligibility to receive Social Security disability benefits depends on several factors.

Qualifying as Disabled

For the purposes of determining eligibility for benefits, the Social Security Administration uses a very specific definition of disability. For an applicant to be considered disabled, he or she must meet the following three conditions:
-Because of a medical condition, the applicant is unable to do the work that he or she did in the past
-The applicant is unable to do other work as a result of his or her medical condition
-The disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year, or is expected to result in the applicant's death

In order to establish that the disability criteria are met, an applicant must submit his or her medical records and may be required to undergo a medical examination.

Employment History Considerations

To receive Social Security disability benefits, applicants must also meet certain work requirements in addition to establishing a qualifying disability. Applicants are required to have accumulated a certain number of Social Security "credits" by working at jobs that pay taxes into the Social Security system.

Credits accrue according to an individual's annual income up to a maximum of four credits per year. The amount required for each credit varies slightly from year to year. In 2012, for instance, workers earned one credit for each $1,130 in wages or self-employment income. Thus, a worker who earns $4,520 or more in 2012 will receive the maximum number of credits for that year.

The number of credits necessary to qualify for Social Security disability benefits depends on the age at which an applicant becomes disabled. Generally speaking, an applicant must have at least 40 credits to be eligible for disability benefits, and at least 20 of those credits must have accrued within the last 10 years. However, younger applicants may be able to qualify for disability benefits with fewer credits. Applicants who do not have enough credits may be eligible through a spouse or parent.

Legal Help for Obtaining Disability Benefits

In many cases, it can be helpful to work with a Social Security disability lawyer when applying for disability benefits. Especially while coping with an illness or injury, navigating the Social Security application process can be a complicated and often challenging ordeal. An experienced attorney who is familiar with the system can help make the process easier for applicants by explaining the steps involved and ensuring that the application is complete and correct.

A Social Security attorney can provide guidance and assistance at every step of the application process, from documenting a disability to filing paperwork and advocating on an applicant's behalf in front of a judge. In the event that an applicant is denied benefits, a lawyer can also assist with the appeals process. Contact a knowledgeable Social Security lawyer for more information about applying for disability benefits.

Article provided by Greg Jones Law
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