Who Qualifies for Benefits?

Social Security Disability Insurance: Do You Qualify?

Eligibility for Social Security benefits

There are many specific detailed rules that apply to qualification for Social Security Benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Below is a general overview of the basic requirements. Our Disability Lawyers and staff members have extensive experience in helping individuals qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits. Eligibility for disability benefits is determined by the nature of your disability, your ability to work, and your work history.

Do you have questions about how Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and guidelines apply in your case? If so, please contact our Help Center for a free claim evaluation.

You must be classified as disabled under SSA guidelines

The definition of disability under Social Security Administration guidelines is stringent. Social Security pays benefits only to those who have total disabilities. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

The SSA considers you to be disabled if it determines that you cannot do the work that you did before you became disabled and you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical problem(s). Your disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

The five step SSA process to determine if you qualify as disabled:

1) Maximum earnings: If after you became disabled, you continued to work, you cannot have earned or now be earning an average of $860 per month or more during the first 12 months of your disability. After that you can't exceed that amount for more than 9 months.

2) Inability to work: Your condition must prevent you from consistently performing basic work-related activities.

3) Qualifying disability: Your medical problem must either be on their list of qualifying medical conditions, or it must be determined to be equivalent in severity to a listed condition.

NOTE: If you meet these first three requirements, you are considered disabled by Social Security. If you only meet the first two requirements, but do not meet the third, then you may still qualify as disabled if you also meet the fourth and fifth requirements.

4) Inability to perform previous work: Your condition must prevent you from consistently performing the work you did previously.

5) Inability to adjust to new work: You are found to be unable to adjust to other work.

You must qualify as insured under SSDI guidelines:

You need to have earned a minimum amount of money (as little as $3880 per year) over enough years throughout your life, as well as over the ten year period that leads up to your disability to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.

NOTE: There are many factors and special rules involved. Your earnings; your age; your status as blind, a disabled widow, widower, or child; or other information must be properly applied to your specific case or you risk losing the opportunity to collect benefits you need. There is no risk—your claim evaluation is free, and if you choose to have us represent you we do not get paid until you collect.

Our SSDI attorneys will be happy to help you determine if you fulfill this requirement. For more information, please contact our social security attorneys about your specific situation.

File for benefits as soon as you become disabled to see that you receive the maximum amount you are entitled to.

You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in person at any SSA office, by telephone, mail, and even via the Internet. Our Disability Lawyers handle the process on behalf of our clients.

My initial claim was denied. Should I consider an appeal?

Most Social Security Disability claims are denied at the initial level. If your claim was denied you should appeal unless you have already returned to work, expect to return to work in the near future, or more than sixty days have passed since your denial. Our Social Security lawyers have had excellent success in helping clients win benefits on appeal. In fact, our SSI/SSDI lawyers have won over 8 out of 10 of our past cases. We will be happy to assist you throughout the appeal process.