Article DetailsSSDI Disability Benefits Information |
| Date Added: June 14, 2010 07:43:30 AM |
| Author: David Johnson |
| Category: Business & Economy: Law |
| Social Security Disability Insurance, or “SSDI,” is a federal program that provides benefits to workers who become disabled. Most people do not think about becoming disabled. However, according to the Social Security Administration, studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. Who is eligible for SSDI? In order to qualify for SSDI, you must have the following: 1. A medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last at least one year, or result in death; and 2. A medical condition that prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity; and 3. Have earned enough work credits under Social Security’s rules. This is a very strict definition of “disability” required by federal law. What medical conditions qualify for SSDI? • Severe Conditions Social Security will first consider whether your medical condition is severe. This means that it significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities including walking, sitting, and concentrating. If your medical condition is that severe, then Social Security will look to see if it is listed on the Listing of Impairments. • Listing of Impairments Social Security has a Listing of Impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify a person for SSDI. If your medical condition is listed on the Listing of Impairments, or meets a condition on this list, then you will be considered disabled. How are my work credits computed? In general, your work credits are computed based on two different “earnings tests.” These tests are (1) a “recent work test” based on the age when you became disabled, and (2) a “duration of work test” that totals the number of years you worked before you became disabled. • Requirements under the Recent Work test 1. If you become disabled when you are 24-years-old or before, then you need 1 ½ years of work in the three years before you became disabled. 2. If you become disabled between ages 25 and 30, then you need to have worked half the time between age 21 and your age at the time of your disability. 3. If you become disabled at age 31 or older, then you need to have worked 5 out of the 10 years before you became disabled. • Requirements under the Duration of Work test If you became disabled: Then you need to have worked approximately this many years before you became disabled: Prior 28-years-old 1 ½ 30-years-old 2 34-years-old 3 38-years-old 4 42-years-old 5 44-years-old 5 ½ 46-years-old 6 48-years-old 6 ½ 50-years-old 7 52-years-old 7 ½ 54-years-old 8 56-years-old 8 ½ 58-years-old 9 60-years-old 9 ½ David Johnson is the author of this article on Minneapolis disability lawyers. Find more information about MN disability benefits here. |
