Are you suffering with a medical condition that is making it impossible for you to earn a living? If so, you should look into Social Security Disability benefits. After all, you have been paying your Social Security taxes for years and you should take advantage of them if you can qualify.
You may have heard that it’s hard to qualify for disability benefits, and that the application process is long and difficult. While there is truth to this, applying can be much easier when you understand Social Security Disability works, and when you obtain professional guidance from an attorney from our firm.
To help you better understand Social Security Disability in less than five minutes, here’s a list of facts about Social Security Disability that you should know.
1. You must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability to qualify. To qualify for disability SSDI benefits, you must meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. To be “disabled,” you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
2. You must have worked long enough. While there are no age restrictions for adults seeking disability benefits, there are work restrictions. Meaning, you must have worked long enough and paid into the system to collect SSDI benefits. If you’ve only worked for one year, that’s not long enough. We can help you determine if you’ve earned enough work credits to obtain benefits.
3. You can return to work and still collect benefits. The SSA has a “Ticket to Work Program,” which provides you with incentives to return to work. Not only does the SSA allow you to ease back into work, but if you realize you returned to work too soon, you can go back to collecting disability benefits without worry.
4. You can collect workers’ comp and disability. Let’s say you were badly injured at work so you filed a workers’ compensation claim. If you meet the SSA’s definition of a disability, you can collect workers’ comp benefits and SSDI benefits. However, you cannot collect more than 80 percent total of your average earnings before the injury. Any amount that exceeds the 80 percent would be deducted from your disability benefits.
5. If you’re denied, you can file an appeal. If your disability application is denied, we can help you appeal it.
6. Your children may be entitled to benefits. Your unmarried children may be entitled to benefits under your work record even if they are adopted (including an adopted stepchild), as long as they are under the age of 18, or 19 if they are still attending high school.
Related: SSD: Will Work Reduce My Benefits?
To file an application for disability benefits in Plano, Dallas, or Fort Worth, contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC today.