Were you disabled in a car accident? Or, have you become disabled after developing a crippling disease or another medical condition? If your answer is “yes” to either question and your condition is now preventing you from working, you should consider applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits.
After all, you paid into the system so there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of it. According to BENEFITS.GOV, “a 20-year-old worker has a 1 in 4 chance of becoming disabled before reaching full retirement age.” So, if you’ve recently become disabled, it’s not surprising considering the odds.
What is SSDI exactly? It is a federally-funded program that is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you qualify for SSDI benefits, then you and possibly certain members of your family will receive benefits.
In order to receive SSDI benefits, you must meet two specific requirements: 1) you must have worked long enough to be eligible, and 2) you must have a disabling medical condition that bars you from working and is expected to last for at least 12 months, or result in death.
What Are the General Requirements?
What are the eligibility requirements to receive SSDI benefits? To qualify for benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
- You cannot have a short-term disability
- You cannot be able to adjust to modified or easier work
- You cannot be full retirement age
- You must have a disability that will last at least a year
- Your condition must meet the SSA’s definition of a disability
As we mentioned earlier, in some cases a disabled worker’s family members can receive benefits based on the disabled worker’s work record. Feel free to contact us to learn more about this option.
Does your impairment qualify as a disability? To learn more about the Adult Listing of Impairments, click here. Even if you do not see your disability on the Listing of Impairments, it does not mean that you cannot receive benefits – you may still qualify.
Looking for a Dallas SSD lawyer? Contact our firm today to schedule a case evaluation!