The Social Security Disability (SSDI) program is a government program for individuals with disabilities that meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of a “disability.” Generally, for someone’s condition to meet the SSA’s definition of a disability, the medical condition has to last for at least one year or result in death, but those are not the only requirements; there is more.
In order to qualify for disability benefits, the medical condition has to be severe enough that it prevents the individual from engaging in any kind of meaningful work, and this includes “light” or “modified” work. What’s more, the individual must have worked long enough and earned enough work credits to qualify for disability benefits.
Sometimes, if the person hasn’t worked recently enough (this can happen when the person has been unemployed or a homemaker for an extended period of time), the individual may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead.
The SSDI Application: Waiting for a Response
If you meet the requirements to apply for disability benefits, how long will it take to get a decision after you apply? The answer is, “It depends.” The length of time it will take for you to receive a decision on your disability application will depend on various factors, such as:
- The disability that you have and how serious it is;
- How quickly the SSA obtains medical evidence from your healthcare providers;
- If it is necessary to have you receive a medical examination; and
- If the SSA decides to review your application for quality purposes.
If your medical condition is on the list of compassionate allowances, your application may receive expedited processing. But what are the compassionate allowances?
According to the SSA, “Compassionate allowances allow us to expedite Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications for people whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security’s definition of disability.”
Next: Will Marriage or Divorce Impact SSD Benefits?
To file a Social Security Disability application, contact The Zendeh Del Firm, PLLC today.