Top Five Ways to Know you Qualify for SSD:
- The first and most important way to qualify for Social Security benefits is being unable to work. The Social Security Disability program is a government-run insurance program meant to provide financial and medical assistance to individuals who have worked and paid into the system, and are now unable to work due to any physical and/or mental conditions. If you are able to work, earning an income of more than $1,130 per month you are not eligible to apply for disability benefits. But if you are unable to earn $1,130 because of a physical and/or mental problem then you will be allowed to apply for the program. Keep in mind this insurance program is similar to private insurance such as car insurance. You will only have this coverage if you have paid taxes on your working income for the past 5 out of 10 years. Also, when you stop working, your coverage only lasts for 5 years. This means the moment you stop working you should consider applying for this program so that your benefits do not lapse.
- If you suffer from a severe physical and/or mental condition that prevents you from working you may be eligible for disability benefits. When applying for social security, the most difficult hurdle to overcome is proving that you meet the medical definition of disability. To be found disabled, you must show you suffer a physical or mental condition that is expected to last for a period of 12 months and poses a barrier to employment. To prove you meet the definition of disability you must provide social security with copies of medical evidence documenting not only your medical diagnosis but also the resulting symptoms of your diagnosis.
- The third way to know you will qualify for social security disability is if your doctor suggests you apply for the program. As mentioned in number two, you must prove to SSA you suffer from conditions that prevent you from working. If your doctor is telling you to apply for the program due to the severity of your conditions that is a very good sign that you will qualify for the program. Your treating doctor will generally not suggest you apply for the program if he/she does not believe you have significant limitations that prevent you from working. And those limitations will more than likely be documented in your medical records which will be used to prove your disability.
- The fourth way to know you qualify for social security disability is if you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Part of the definition of disability is that you if suffer from a terminal illness you will be found disabled. Proving this fact to social security is similar to the above-mentioned comments in that you will need to provide medical evidence of your terminal condition. It is also helpful to obtain a statement from your documenting letting social security know your current medical status and giving a time frame for how long you will be expected to survive.
- The fifth way to know you will qualify for social security disability is if you are of advanced age. Anyone over 50 years old who is suffering from a physical condition with resulting symptoms should consider applying for this program. If your physical conditions are preventing you from working a full-time job this program is more than likely the right choice for you. The reason being is that burden of proving you are disabled becomes a little bit easier once you hit the age of 50.
If you fall into one of these five categories I strongly urge you to apply for the disability program. At the LaBovick Law Group, we provide free consultations to all of our clients. Call us immediately for a free case evaluation so we may determine if this program is the right fit for you.
