The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two different disability programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). While you can apply for both programs, they have different eligibility rules.
The SSA requires two main components for Social Security disability eligibility in Kansas City. First, you must have a medical condition (or combination of conditions) that meets the SSA’s definition of a disability. This means that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Second, if you are applying for SSDI, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and paid into the system through your payroll taxes. These work credits are crucial to the SSDI program (but less important to the SSI program).
A knowledgeable Social Security disability attorney can explain the filing process in more detail.
To qualify for SSDI, you must be expected to be unable to work for at least a year because of your disability. There is an exception if you have a terminal condition.
Benefits can begin at the sixth month after the disability began, as determined by the SSA. Many applicants begin immediately receiving them upon approval because the claims process takes longer than five months.
Benefits may last until until you are able to return to work, reach normal retirement age, or die.
Work credits are based on your total yearly wages or income, but a person can only earn a maximum of four credits each year. Every year, the dollar amount required to achieve a work credit increases.
To qualify for SSDI, you generally need at least 40 total credits, and 20 of those credits must be in the ten years prior to the beginning of the disability. You do not have to be working at the onset of your disability to qualify for SSDI.
The total number of credits means someone must have a 10-year work history. There are exceptions for younger workers. The best way to determine Kansas City Social Security disability eligibility is to examine your SSA benefit information sheet, which can be accessed on your www.ssa.gov portal.
Whether you are applying for SSI or SSDI, the definition of disability is the same. The disability can be physical or mental, but it has to be projected to last for at least a year and prevent you from engaging in SGA.
In addition to keeping you from returning to your former work, the disability must prevent you from transitioning into another type of employment. The SSA does not recognize short-term or partial disabilities.
If you are not working (or you are working but not working at the SGA level), the SSA sends your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. These local offices decide whether a medical condition qualifies as a disability.
The DDS looks at the following:
The DDS often denies initial claims, so you should anticipate an appeal as a potential part of the process. Contact a Social Security disability lawyer in Kansas City today for more information on eligibility.
No lawyer can guarantee that your claim will be approved, but they can minimize your chances of unfair denials. Schedule a consultation to learn more about eligibility for Social Security Disability in Kansas City.
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