Social Security Disability Benefits - Eligibility Criteria

Social Security Disability Benefits are meant to help those who cannot fend for themselves. Some remain disabled throughout their lives forcing them to rely on external help permanently, but some more fortunate ones recover in the course of time and give up the free help.

An aspiring applicant should clearly understand what the rules say in evaluating disability. A visit to the doctor to get certified as an invalid person, either permanently or temporarily, sets the ball moving. The disability should hinder the applicant to take up any job and earn money. Disabilities can be of different and varied kinds. Not only physical weaknesses, but psychological disorders that hinder the earning capacity of a person make him eligible to apply for the grant.

The work or job history plays a big role in deciding his eligibility. In the United States, an applicant should have worked for at least five years of his last ten years of service, before he became incapacitated, in establishments which were paying social security taxes to the government. However, it is nowhere stipulated that those five years service should have been continuous.

The biggest requirement is a detailed medical report which should clearly state that the aspirant is having a physical or psychiatric complication which in turn prevents him or her from pursuing normal jobs and earn a living. If it is found that this weak state may not last for more than twelve months, the authorities will not consider the case on merit. For being eligible, the applicant should be found to be in an unfavorable physical or mental state of permanent nature or which may last for more than twelve months.

The job of finding out the medical status of the applicant is vested on the Disability Determination Services. Every state in the United States has such an agency. The disabled has to approach them to get oneself evaluated. The processing of an application usually takes more than three months. But the time taken and the cumbersome procedures are meant to cut out people seeking easy money by feigning disability. A responsible society need to have such strict rule interpretation and execution strategies. Otherwise it will be mayhem and free for all and resulting in the real weak getting ejected.

If you want to know more about Social Security Disability Benefits then feel free to visit http://www.disabilityappeal.com

Social Security Disability Insurance Eligibility

Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) is a benefit paid by the government's Social Security Administration (SSA) to workers who can no longer support themselves through work and are considered disabled. The definition of a disability is a medical condition that is expected to last for a long period of time, at least one year, or will cause death. Unlike other social welfare programs that can give financial assistance for partial or temporary disabilities, SSDI is intended for those with full disabilities.

Workers must qualify for SSDI based upon two separate "earnings" tests by the Social Security Administration:

• The first test is called a "recent work" test and is based upon the age of the worker at the time of the disability; for example, a worker who becomes disabled between the ages of 24 and 31 will generally need to prove work experience for half of the previous ten years; this test uses calendar quarters to mark time.

• The second test is a "duration of work" test; applicants must have worked for a certain amount of time before their disability based upon their age; the years worked do not have to be within a certain time period like they do with the recent work test and can be scattered throughout the previous years.

If the applicant passes the earnings tests, they must provide medical documentation of their disability which will be reviewed by doctors and disability specialists with the SSA's Disability Determination Services office in the applicant's state. The documents provided should be from qualified doctors and medical facilities. They need to show the medical condition, when it began, how it affects the applicant as a disability, and any treatment the applicant has received. The SSA will determine if the applicant is able to perform work related activities such as walking, lifting, sitting, and using cognitive skills or if they are truly disabled and deserve SSDI benefits.

If the SSA rules that the worker is disabled enough to be unable to perform their previous type of work, the SSA will also consider if the worker can perform other types of work different from their original line of work.

For more information, please visit http://www.socialsecuritynethelp.me

Determining Your Eligibility For Social Security Disability Benefits

Many people do not realize they are eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Misunderstandings and confusing government processes prevent people from receiving the disability benefits they deserve. Unfortunately, many Americans exhaust their own savings and financial resources before finally applying for these benefits. Even worse, some people go without necessary medical care that could have eased medical problems, helping them to live better and possibly get back to work sooner.

People with chronic, debilitating disabilities and illnesses often face overwhelming difficulties due to their unfortunate medical condition(s). Aggravating the problem, living on no income or a reduced income can keep these individuals from receiving the healthcare they deserve. This article looks at the confusion surrounding applying for SSDI benefits and shows how Social Security disability benefits can make a huge difference in people's lives.

Expert Advice Is Key

All conditions and illnesses covered by Social Security disability benefits have certain criteria that deem a person eligible or not. This is why expert advice from a professional company is crucial to receiving an award. For example, a person with AIDS may receive SSDI benefits due to the symptoms of AIDS, including neurological and hematological abnormalities.

Medical conditions like fibromyalgia, bulging discs, anxiety, skin and sleep disorders, chronic liver disease, diabetes, and others can qualify a person for Social Security disability benefits. It's always in your best interest to find out if you might qualify to receive SSDI benefits before you start the application process. Unfortunately, if you don't understand the application process, you may not receive your entitled benefits. Luckily, a professional SSDI representation expert has the expertise necessary to ensure you receive the maximum Social Security disability benefits possible.

Qualifying for SSDI

The eligibility, application, and awarding of SSDI benefits processes baffle most people and rightly so. While basic determining factors can give a person an initial look at the possibility of qualifying during the application process, professional companies have a far better likelihood of success. Unfortunately, individuals unfamiliar with the complexities of the process don't usually fare as well as those who consult an expert. A professional company can keep the process simple, eliminating frustration, confusion, stress, and time wasted on lengthy appeals.

Determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits involves a step-by-step process. First, you must have held gainful employment where you paid into the Social Security Administration program for five of the last 10 years. You must become disabled and unable to work prior to reaching your retirement age, which has a range of 65 to 67. You also must qualify as disabled due to illness or debilitating disability under the SSA's definitions. A professional SSDI representative stays up-to-date on the recent changes and additions to these definitions and is familiar with this complicated evaluation and application process.

The first questions asked by the Social Security Administration are about income and employment for five of the last 10 years. If a person engages in "substantial gainful activity" and earns more than $980 per month, they do not qualify for SSDI benefits. Next, they factor in the severity of a person's disability and the extent to which it interferes with job performance. In addition, the disability must either meet or exceed a suitable medical listing.

The Social Security Administration then evaluates work the applicant performed in the past despite the disability, denying SSDI benefits if an applicant demonstrates they can still work. However, if an applicant cannot perform their job, the Social Security Administration evaluates his or her work experience, age, mental and physical status, and education to determine if the applicant can perform another type of work.

What SSDI Provides

After being a productive and self-sufficient worker, many individuals with debilitating illnesses and disabilities find themselves at a loss as to how to function in their daily lives. SSDI benefits provide a regular monthly income and annual increases generally tied to the rise in the cost of living. Recipients also receive Medicare medical benefits 24 months after cash entitlement to Social Security disability benefits. Medicare includes Part A hospital benefits, Part B medical benefits and Part D prescription drug coverage, plus the option of choosing from several Medicare Advantage plans. Those qualifying for benefits also may receive an 11-month extension of their COBRA benefits.

The complex process of applying for Social Security disability benefits often prevents qualified people from receiving their SSDI benefits. However, individuals can increase the likelihood of receiving an award by consulting a professional SSDI benefits company that can help protect long-term disability, retirement and dependent benefits. A professional claims services company also can make the complicated application process simple and stress free. Once you receive SSDI benefits, you also receive access to return-to-work incentives, which allow you to try returning to work while continuing to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Jim Allsup writes for Allsup, an SSDI benefits representative. They offer a free, no-obligation Social Security Disability Evaluation.