Qualifying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits can be a vital lifeline for many disabled individuals. There are two primary components to qualifying for benefits, and disabled individuals seeking benefits should ensure that they have all their questions regarding these important components answered.
Eligibility for Social Security disability benefits is based on a disabled individual’s medical condition and work history. The medical condition component can sometimes be more easily understand than the work history component. To be considered disabled, an applicant must suffer from a medical condition that is severe enough that it prevents them from working and is expected to last for 12 months or longer, or result in death. This requirement can be met generally by providing medical records to establish the disability, or by meeting medical conditions contained on certain lists provided by the Social Security Administration.
In addition, the disabled applicant must meet the work history requirement. To fulfill this requirement, the disabled individual must have worked in a Social Security-paying job and earned the requisite number of work credits. Up to four work credits can be earned per year and are based on the applicant’s wages or self-employment income. The amount needed to earn a work credit varies each year. In addition, the disabled individual must have worked long enough and recently enough to meet the requirement to be eligible for benefits. Eligibility depends on when the disabled individual became disabled and at what age.
As you can see, there are many technical components and complexities associated with qualifying for Social Security disability benefits, which is why it is essential for applicants to be familiar with the requirements and the process. That way, they can be in the best position to obtain the benefits they badly need.
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