Social Security Disability Benefits: How to Apply?

JTo understand what this support consists of, it is necessary to specify that the definition of disability of Social Security is different from that of other programs and that Social Security only covers total disability, since it does not does not pay benefits in the event of partial disability or short-term disability.

In this sense, for a person to qualify in the range of total disability, certain conditions must be met.

Program subject to evaluation

First, it must be proven that due to a medical condition, he cannot work or participate in the Substantially Gainful Employment (SGA) he was previously engaged in.

Therefore, it must be taken into account that your condition or illness has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or, in an extreme case, that there is a risk that you will die within a certain period of time.

To benefit from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the person concerned must have carried out an activity covered by Social Security and must demonstrate that his state of health strictly meets the Social Security definition of disability. If so, for a year or more, he will receive benefits every month until he is able to return to work on a regular basis.

It should be noted that there are also a number of special supports called work incentives, which provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help the disabled person make the transition to work.

However, if the person is working and their average monthly earnings are over $1,350 ($2,260 if they are blind), they generally cannot be considered to have an eligible disability.

For extreme cases only

In the event that you are in Substantial Gainful Employment (SGA) and applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, your application will be forwarded to the Disability Determination Service (DDS) to assess your case to determine if the characteristics of your illness or condition are within the range to be considered for support.

It is necessary to mention that your condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting or remembering – for at least 12 months. If not, it is determined that you do not have an eligible disability.

There are some cases of compassionate determinations, which involve people with confirmed diagnoses such as acute leukemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), and pancreatic cancer, to name a few.

For more information, contact a Social Security agent at 1-800-772-1213.