Social Security Disability Insurance, more commonly referred to as SSDI, is a program that allows individuals under the age of 65 to claim disability benefits when they are unable to work. It is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and this federal agency determines which individuals are eligible to receive these benefits. SSDI benefits are available to individuals who have suffered a total disability, meaning they cannot work for one year or more or have a disabling condition that is expected to result in death. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, individuals must also have a certain number of work credits and must have earned an income through qualifying employment. Individuals who qualify for SSDI will receive them until they are able to return to work or until they reach retirement age. After reaching the age of retirement, SSDI benefits convert to standard Social Security retirement benefits.
Here are some key points about SSDI:
Qualifying Disability: To be eligible for SSDI, an individual must have a qualifying disability that is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The disability must also prevent the individual from engaging in substantial gainful activity (work).
Work Credits: SSDI is not a need-based program like SSI. Instead, it is based on an individual's work history and the payment of Social Security taxes. Workers earn "work credits" based on their employment and payment of Social Security taxes. The number of credits required to qualify for SSDI benefits depends on the age of the individual when the disability occurs.
Family Benefits: In addition to providing benefits to disabled individuals, SSDI may also provide benefits to certain family members, such as spouses and dependent children, if they meet certain criteria.
Medicare Eligibility: After receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, individuals become eligible for Medicare, which provides health insurance coverage.
Application Process: Applying for SSDI involves submitting a detailed application to the Social Security Administration, including medical evidence and information about the individual's work history. The application process can be complex, and many applicants are initially denied benefits and may need to go through an appeals process.
SSDI is an important safety net for individuals who become disabled and are unable to work, providing them with financial assistance and access to healthcare through Medicare.
If you are unable to work because you are experiencing a disabling condition, you may be eligible for financial help from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA has two different programs to assist those unable to work – Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Both of these programs allow qualifying claimants to receive disability benefits each month. SSDI is available for those who were able to work in the past but are now finding they can’t work for at least twelve months because they are experiencing a disabling condition. Once approved for SSDI, the monthly benefit can be used to help with daily living needs. This includes things like rent, medical expenses (like doctors visits, medications, etc.), utilities, etc. How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits Before being offered disability benefits, you will need to meet specific criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Below are the criteria that you must meet to potentially be offered disability benefits: You must have sufficient work credits to qualify for disability benefits. These credits are accumulated through the SSDI (Social Security disability insurance) pathway. Work credits are accumulated through Social Security insurance contributions you pay in your payroll taxes. You are given 4 work credits for each year you work. The symptoms of your disability must match those of one of the listings in the SSA’s Blue Book. Most, but not all, serious medical conditions are listed in the Blue Book. If your medical condition doesn’t match the most relevant listing, there are ways that you can still be offered SSDI through a medical vocational allowance (MVA). You must show that you have been following a course of treatment and will continue to do so as advised by medical professionals. Evidence to show how serious your medical condition is must be supplied. This evidence could include medical records, doctor’s assessment(s), results of tests and scans, etc