If you are unable to work due to a disabling condition, you may qualify for financial aid from the Social Security Administration. There are two different programs that may assist you, but specifically, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available for you if you worked in the past, but are currently unable to.
SSDI helps you pay for your daily living needs by providing you with a monthly benefit. You can use it to pay for rent, utilities, medical expenses and other needs if you qualify for it.
Work
The main qualification is that you need to work long enough and recently enough to qualify for the disability benefits. Your self-employment income or yearly wages determines your Social Security work credits. The amount of money you need to earn for work credit changes yearly and the number of credits you need to qualify for disability benefits is dependent on the age you need it. If you are young, you may still qualify even though you have fewer credits.
No matter your age, you need to earn the required number of work credits within a specific period. This starts from the time you started working and ends at the time you gained your disability.
Medical condition
SSDI is only available for those with a total disability. Total disability means you must meet the following criteria:
- You are no longer able to do the work you did before due to a medical condition.
- Your medical condition does not allow you to do other work.
- Your disability will last at least a year or result in death.
Denials are common due to a lack of medical evidence or a failure to cooperate. You can file an appeal and contact an attorney to help you navigate the appeal process.