Additional Coverage:
- 10 Signs You’re Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits (financebuzz.com)
Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Injuries or illnesses can happen unexpectedly, and if a serious condition prevents you from working, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be able to help. It’s wise to understand SSDI eligibility requirements before retirement, so here’s what you need to know.
What is SSDI?
SSDI, often called simply “disability,” is a monthly payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to eligible individuals whose disabilities prevent them from working. Understanding the SSA’s definition of disability is crucial for determining your eligibility.
SSDI Eligibility Requirements:
- Inability to Work: You may qualify if your condition prevents you from performing “substantial gainful activity,” meaning you can’t earn above a certain monthly threshold. In 2024, that limit is $1,550 per month.
- Legal Blindness: Individuals deemed legally blind by an optometrist may qualify, even without other medical limitations, if they cannot earn more than $2,590 per month (the 2024 SGA limit for blind individuals).
- Supporting Medical Documentation: Eligibility hinges on providing comprehensive medical records that clearly demonstrate your disability and how it impacts your ability to earn a living. The SSA’s Listing of Impairments for adults outlines qualifying conditions, and you’ll need documentation from a licensed medical doctor.
- Sufficient Work History: You generally need to have worked at least five of the last 10 years.
This translates to 40 work credits, with 10 earned within the past decade. Different rules may apply for those under 24.
- Social Security Contributions: You must have paid into Social Security through your employment. Unreported or “under-the-table” earnings can complicate eligibility.
- Long-Term Condition: SSDI is for long-term disabilities expected to last at least one year or result in death. Short-term illnesses do not qualify.
- Severity of Condition: The condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities like walking, sitting, standing, lifting, or remembering.
- Compassionate Allowances: Certain severe conditions, such as ALS, acute leukemia, and pancreatic cancer, qualify for expedited processing under the Compassionate Allowances program.
- Inability to Perform Other Work: Even if you cannot perform your previous job, you might not be eligible if your skills are transferable to other occupations compatible with your condition.
- Regular Specialist Care: Seeing a specialist regularly for conditions like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease may indicate SSDI eligibility if your condition is debilitating.
Applying for SSDI:
If you believe you meet these criteria, applying for SSDI is relatively straightforward. You can begin the application online or visit your local SSA office. Even if you don’t qualify for SSDI, the SSA can provide information about other programs, like Supplemental Security Income.
Read More About This Story:
- 10 Signs You’re Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits (financebuzz.com)