SSDI Eligibility Process

If you have an illness or were injured in accident and can no longer work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides benefits to people suffering from debilitating conditions such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, liver disease, and mental health disorders. It also provides benefits to those who suffer from serious injuries that were the result of accidents. However, receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits is not as easy as filling out an application. The process can be complicated and long. The vast majority of applications for Social Security disability benefits are initially denied, leaving families in financial distress. If you are in need of an employment lawyer because you have suffered an illness or injury and are unable to work, the best way to ensure that your Social Security disability application is processed and approved as quickly as possible is to contact an experienced Los Angeles SSDI Eligibility Process Lawyer who understands the complexities of the application process.

Eligibility for SSDI

To qualify for SSDI benefits you must have earned enough work credits, and you must have a medical condition that meets the SSA's definition of disability. Social Security work credits are based on your annual wages from employment or from self-employment. You can earn up to four credits each year. Each year the SSA changes the amount needed to earn a credit. In 2013 you had to earn $1,160 in wages to earn a work credit, while in 2014 you must earn $1,200. So for 2014, once you have earned $4,800 for the year, you would have earned 4 credits. The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI benefits depends on your age. The older you are the more credits you will need. For example, if you are less than 24 years old, you may only need 6 credits earned within the last 3 years. While if you are 46 you may need 24 credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years.

Disability Requirement

In order to qualify for SSDI benefits you must be disabled as defined by the SSA. The SSA has a very specific way of defining when someone is disabled. According to federal law a disability is defined as the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." The test for whether or not you are disabled is likely different from other definitions of what is means to be disabled. Not only must you be unable to perform the work you previously performed, but you also must be unable to perform other work. Furthermore, for purposes of Social Security disability, there is no such thing as short-term disability, temporary disability, or partial disability. Benefits are only available for those with long-term disabilities. Thus, your disability must be expected to last for at least one year or result in your death within a year.

If you are a victim of a car accident, truck accident, construction site accident, workplace accident, slip and fall accident, or other type of accident that left you with orthopedic injuries you may be eligible to receive SSDI. In addition, the SSA provides disability benefits to those who suffer illnesses that result from workplace conditions such as respiratory disorders.

It is important to understand that the definition of disability for purposes of workers’ compensation is different from the definition of disability for purposes of SSDI. Workers' compensation pays benefits if you are unable to perform your current job while in order to receive Social Security Disability, you must be unable to perform any job.

Los Angeles SSDI Eligibility Process Lawyer

If you are injured in an accident or suffer from a debilitating illness, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Because applying for such benefits can be complicated, it is important that someone with experience represents you. The staff at VAKILI & LEUS, LLP understands the type of evidence and medical records that the SSA requires to prove the existence of a disability. We have successfully represented clients filing claims for Social Security disability benefits based on a wide range of conditions and injuries such as those that result from workplace accidents. Contact us at 1-855-52LA-LAW (1-855-525-2529) to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your concerns related to your employment.

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