Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

What is SSDI and do I qualify?

Social Security Disability Insurance, also known as SSDI, is a program that helps individuals who are too disabled to work with insurance-based financial benefits. The amount received for SSDI is based solely upon a person’s previous employment history and what they have already paid into the Social Security system from deductions from their earnings. A person must be determined to be medically disabled in order to qualify to receive SSDI benefits. View a full list of eligible SSDI disabilities to see if you qualify.

The amount received from the SSDI program depends upon how much you have paid in taxes and for how long, since SSDI is an insurance-based program and not a welfare program. Therefore, the higher your earnings have been and the longer you have earned them, the larger your SSDI check will be.

Social Security Disability Insurance allows a person to receive a regular monthly income, and become eligible for Medicare benefits. SSDI also allows a possible extension of COBRA benefits, protects retirement and long-term disability benefits in addition to allowing dependent benefits and return-to-work incentives.

Social Security Disability Insurance Eligibility

To be eligible to collect Social Security Disability Insurance there are three general qualifying criteria:

• A person must have worked and paid into the program (through payroll taxes) for five of the last 10 years. The minimum time is less if you're under age 31 when you become disabled.
• A person also must have been disabled before reaching the full retirement age of 65-67.
• A person must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of "disability." The Social Security Administration has a process to determine who is and isn’t eligible for benefits. This process includes evaluating your income, limits of your disability, past job history and more.

Although anyone can apply for SSDI it is best if a person is represented by a trained professional SSDI lawyer that can help take them through the application and, if necessary, appeal process. The smallest error in the Social Security application could bring about a denial in your claim. SSI Associates attorneys can make sure that your application is thorough and free of errors. If denied for SSDI benefits, our lawyers can also assist in every step of the SSDI appeal process.

A good Social Security disability attorney will be much more familiar with what the government considers “disabled” and they can also represent you at the administrative hearing, which is common since a little under half of all applicants are denied to receive any type of benefits.

If you are disabled, it may be difficult for you to physically or mentally work on your case. A trained professional can focus solely on your case. One of the many important aspects of getting SSDI is the application. It is imperative that all of the necessary documentation is orderly and concise and, most importantly, all true. An attorney can gather up all the needed documents and witnesses, working towards your best interests to get the results you will need to become eligible for SSDI.

Call SSI Associates today at (216) 225-9562 or fill out our free SSDI case evaluation form to allow us to help you achieve disability results.