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Social Security Disability SSI/SSDI Resources

» Disability and Impairment Table ages 22 to 64

» Disability and Impairment Table From Newborn to Age 21

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» Part 1- Introduction to Disability and Social Security

» Part 2- Signing Up For Disability

» Part 3 - When A Claim Is Approved

» Part 4 - Going Back To Work

» Part 5 - More Social Security Information

» Social Security Disability Fact Table

» Social Security Disability Fact Table By Age

» Social Security Disability Fact Table By Age : Male Only

» Social Security Disability Fact Table By Age: Female Only

» Social Security Office

» Social Security: A Simple Concept

» SSDI Disability and Impairment Distribution Female only 22 to 64

» SSDI Disability and Impairment Distribution Female only Newborn to 21

» SSDI Disability and Impairment Distribution Male only 22 to 64

» SSDI Disability and Impairment Distribution Male only Newborn to 21

» SSDI General Impairment Table by Numbers

» SSDI General Impairment Table by Percentage

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Part 1—Introduction To Disability And Social Security

Part 1—Introduction To Disability And Social Security

Disability is something most people don’t like to think about. But the chances of your becoming disabled are probably greater than you realize. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 3-in-10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

It’s a fact that, while most people spend time working to succeed in their jobs and careers, few think about ensuring that they have a safety net to fall back on should the unthinkable happen. This is where Social Security comes in. In general, Social Security Disability Insurance pays cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. Benefits continue until a person is able to work again on a regular basis, and a number of work incentives are available to ease the transition back to work.

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What Does The Social Security Administration Mean By "Disability"?

It’s important that you understand how Social Security defines "disability." That’s because other programs have different definitions for disability. Some programs pay for partial disability or for short-term disability. Social Security does not.

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. You will be considered disabled if you cannot do the work you did before and if Social Security decides that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s). Your disability also must last or be expected to last for at least a year or be expected to result in death.

This is a strict definition of disability. The program assumes that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers’ compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

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Who Can Get Disability Benefits?

Certain members of your family may qualify for benefits on your record. They include:

Your spouse who is age 62 or older, or any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is under age 16 or disabled and also receiving checks.
Your disabled widow or widower age 50 or older. The disability must have started before your death or within seven years after your death. (If your widow or widower caring for your children receives Social Security checks, she or he is eligible if she or he becomes disabled before those payments end or within seven years after they end.)
Your unmarried son or daughter, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be under age 18 or under age 19 if in high school full time.
Your unmarried son or daughter, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22. These children are considered disabled if they meet the adult definition of disability. (If a disabled child under age 18 is receiving benefits as the dependent of a retired, deceased or disabled worker, someone should contact Social Security to have his or her checks continued at age 18 on the basis of disability.)

If you become the parent of a child (including an adopted child) after you begin receiving Social Security benefits, be sure to notify Social Security so that they can determine if the child qualifies for benefits.

For more information about disability benefits for children, ask Social Security for the booklet, Benefits for Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).

Note: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program also pays benefits to needy disabled children under age 18.

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How Much Work Do I Need?

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. You can earn up to a maximum of four work credits per year. The amount of earnings required for a credit increases each year as general wage levels rise. Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits.

The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you became disabled. Generally you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The rules are as follows:

Before age 24—You may qualify if you have six credits earned in the three-year period ending when your disability starts.
Age 24 to 31—You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would need credit for three years of work (12 credits) out of the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).
Age 31 or older—In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart shown below. Unless you are blind, at least 20 of the credits must have been earned in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled.

Born After 1929, Become Disabled At Age

Credits You Need

31 through 42

20

44

22

46

24

48

26

50

28

52

30

54

32

56

34

58

36

60

38

62 or older

40

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Free Part 1- Introduction to Disability and Social Security Consultation

Your Name:	*
Your Telephone Number:	*
Your Email Address:	*
If you are not the claimant, please tell us the best way to reach you:
If you are not the claimant, please tell us your relationship to the person you are inquiring for:

Please note, we cannot properly consider your
case without a valid e-mail address.

Claimant's Name:	*
Claimant's Telephone:	*
Claimant's Email Address:	*
*Please leave blank if you are the claimant
Claimant's Address:
City:
State, Zip:
Telephone Number:
Cell (Mobile) Phone:

If you are the claimant, please tell us the best way to reach you:
Your Current Age:

Work History:

Are you presently working? Yes No

*If Yes, please note, we cannot assist you if you are working

When did you stop working?

In the last 7 years, please tell us about your work activity:

Year Full Year Part of the year Did not work at all

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

Social Security Claim Status:

Have you applied for Social Security Disability (SSDI) in the last 18 Months?	Yes No
If yes, is the claim still Pending?	Yes No Not Sure

If yes, at what level?
Was your claim denied?	Yes No Not Sure
If yes, at what level?
Give us the approximate date of your last denial:

Please describe your disability:

Please tell us some of your
physical and mental limitations:

Conditions & Symptoms:
Back Injury Neck Injury Hip Injury Knee Injury Foot Problems Asthma Bronchitis Sleeping Problems Depression Disorder Epilepsy ADD ADHD	Heart Problems Poor Circulation Nerve Problems HIV Hepatitis Mental Illness Anxiety Disorder Panic Attacks Bi-Polar Multiple Sclerosis Concentration Problems Memory Problems

Is a doctor currently treating you?	Yes No
If no, why not?
Is the injury work-related?	Yes No
If Yes, did you file a Workers Compensation Claim?	Yes No
Are you receiving or have your Received Workers Compensation?	Yes No
Do you have an attorney presently assisting you in a Social Security Disability (SSDI) claim?	Yes No

If Yes, why are you seeking our assistance?

Please list the medications you are taking:

Are you receiving any other types of benefits
listed below? *Please check all that apply:

Long Term Disability
Early Retirement From Social Security
Widow's Benefits From Social Security
Personal Injury Settlement
Medical Malpractice Settlement
Other

How did you become disabled?
*Please check all that apply

Natural Causes
Sickness/Illness/Disease
Medical Malpractice
Car Accident
Injury or Accident
Medication or Product
Other

If you chose "Medical Malpractice," "Car Accident,"
"Injury or Accident," "Medication or Product," or "Other"

Date of incident:	*
City where incident occured:	*
State where incident occured:	*
What was the date of the incident?
What city did the incident occur in?
What State did the incident occur in?

Please tell us what happened. Be sure to include
all the facts including who was at fault and why:*

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» Americans with Disabilities Act 1990

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» Free Case Evaluation

» Quick Facts: Americans with Disabilities Act

» Social Security Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool

» Social Security Disability Frequency of Reviews

» Social Security FAQs

» Social Security: Mental and Physical Disability List

» SSDI or SSI Which One Do You Qualify For?

» SSDI: Work Incentives and Special Cases

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