Should I Apply for Social Security Disability?
Should I apply for disability? If you’re asking yourself that question, here are some important things to consider.
For you to be eligible for SSDI, your disability must last for at least a year or be terminal. You must also be under age 65, which is normally the age of Medicare eligibility.
To be eligible for SSDI, you must have accumulated a prescribed number of Social Security credits (normally accumulated through work experience and payment into Social Security) during the 10 years immediately preceding disability. Requirements vary according to age, and if you are suffering disability before age 23 you may be able to draw on your parents’ Social Security credits without affecting their eligibility for SSDI.
If you appear to meet these basic requirements, here are some more things to consider in determining whether you should be applying for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Does your condition prevent you from engaging in “Substantial Gainful Activity”?
Contrary to what many people believe, your disability does not need to prevent you from engaging in all work for you to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. If, however, you make more than a certain amount of money from your work, it’s unlikely you’ll receive SSDI. This amount changes regularly, so it’s important to stay informed. You can easily get up-to-date information by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free at 800-772-1213 (TDY 1-80325-0778). During the 2012 tax year, the amount disqualifying someone from receiving SSDI benefits is set at $1010 per month.
“Substantial Gainful Activity” refers to any type of work.
If the Social Security Administration determines that your condition prevents you from doing the sort of work you did before, the SSA will try to determine whether your condition prevents you from adjusting to other types of “Substantial Gainful Activity.” If, despite your condition, you are considered capable of earning an income from other work, it’s unlikely you’ll be found eligible for SSDI.
Does any disabling condition qualify you for SSDI?
Generally, yes, as long as all other requirements are met. The SSA has a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify as disabling conditions, but other conditions are equally acceptable as disabling conditions if SSA determines they are as serious as conditions on the list. The same requirements apply whether you suffer from a condition on the list or from an equally serious condition not on the list.
According to the official Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov, a 20-year-old worker has a 30% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. If you are disabled as a result of an accident, congenital condition, or any other impairment or cause, and you meet the other requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance, you should apply for SSDI benefits without delay. Processing of claims for SSDI normally takes three to five months, and you won’t want to wait any longer than necessary to receive the benefits you’re due.
If you’d like to know more about Social Security Disability Insurance, MedicareMall will be happy to discuss your circumstances and options. And, of course, if there’s anything you’d like to know about Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or Medicare supplement insurance, MedicareMall will be happy to answer those questions, too.
Contact MedicareMall now and we’ll make it our priority to see you get the health care or disability coverage you need.