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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

  --AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

 

How do I qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

  • SSDI is based on work credits, ability to work, SGA (substantial gainful activity), and timeframe of disabisability.  

    • Work Credits - are generated during your working career when paying taxes on reported income.  The number of work credits you need to qualify for benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. 

    • Work - a person must not be to perform past work or adjust to other jobs as decided by the SSA.  

    • SGA - a person must not be able to engage in SGA when applying for SSDI.  The 2015 SGA limit is $1,820 for blind individuals and $1,090 for non-blind individuals.  

    • Timeframe of Disability - the disability must have lasted or expected to last for 12 consecutive months or result in death.  

 

How do I qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

  • SSI is a resource or needs based program and has nothing to do with how much you have worked in the past.  It is based on income and asset limits, ability to work, SGA (substantial gainful activity), and timeframe of disabisability.  Note that children are able to apply for SSI.   

    • Income and Asset Limits - the limit for countable resourcs is $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.  Examples of resources include: cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, land (you are allowed the home you live in plus the land that it is on), life insurance, personal property, vehicles (you are allowed one vehicle that does not count towards assets), cashable assets, and deemed resources.  Deemed resources are resources that are avaiable to you based on where you live.  For example: a spouse's income or free rent while staying with your parents.  

    • Work - a person must not be to perform past work or adjust to other jobs as decided by the SSA.  

    • SGA - a person must not be able to engage in SGA when applying for SSDI.  The 2015 SGA limit is $1,820 for blind individuals and $1,090 for non-blind individuals.  

    • Timeframe of Disability - the disability must have lasted or expected to last for 12 consecutive months or result in death.  

 

 

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