Applying for Social Security Disability

The question of how to apply for SS disability benefits boils down to meeting the criteria the SSA has determined. Usually, to qualify for SS Disability benefits, you must meet one of two earnings criteria, “recent work” and “duration of work”. “Recent work” refers to the work you did right before and your age at the time of your disability. “Duration of work” refers to how long you worked before you became disabled. Special rules apply to individuals who are blind or have become blind. Our accomplished and qualified professionals can help you apply and succeed in getting your application for Social Security Disability benefits approved.

Are you or a loved one confused about how to apply for SS disability? Contact one of our specially trained disability professionals and let us show you how to apply for SS disability and get approved!

The “recent work” test breaks up the year into quarters and which quarter you will turn or turned a certain age at the time of your disability to determine your eligibility.

The year quarters are:

First Quarter: January 1 through March 31
Second Quarter: April 1 through June 30
Third Quarter: July 1 through September 30
Fourth Quarter: October 1 through December 31

They are broken up like this:

If you become disabled in or before you turn 24, then you need 1.5 years of work during the three-year period concluding within the quarter your disability began.
If you become disabled in the quarter after you turn 24 but before the quarter you turn 31, then you need to have worked half the time for the period starting with the quarter after you turned 21 and concluding with the quarter you become disabled.
If you become disabled in the quarter you turn 31 or older, then you need to have worked at least 5 years out of the 10-year period concluding with the quarter you became disabled.

The “duration of work” test relies on how much work you need to have completed by a certain age before you became disabled. The work you did does not have to fall within a certain period of time. The following table may exclude certain situations.

Age at disability to the number of years of work needed:

If you become disabled before 28, then you need 1.5 years of work.
If you become disabled before 30, then you need 2 years of work.
If you become disabled before 34, then you need 3 years of work.
If you become disabled before 38, then you need 4 years of work.
If you become disabled before 42, then you need 5 years of work.
If you become disabled before 44, then you need 5.5 years of work.
If you become isabled before 46, then you need 6 years of work.
If you become disabled before 48, then you need 6.5 years of work.
If you become disabled before 50, then you need 7 years of work.
If you become disabled before 52, then you need 7.5 years of work.
If you become disabled before 54, then you need 8 years of work.
If you become disabled before 56, then you need 8.5 years of work.
If you become disabled before 58, then you need 9 years of work.
If you become disabled before 60, then you need 9.5 years of work.

Don’t risk refusal from the SSA when applying for Social Security disability benefits. Let our staff do the leg work for you and increase your chances of getting approved.