Applicants who wish to acquire Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits should possess a previous work history where their employers deducted portions of their salary for social security tax. The amount paid by the claimant over their lifetime determines the amount they will receive if they qualify. To qualify, the applicant must have a physical, mental, or terminal disability that prevents them from working. If the claimant is denied these benefits, they should contact a South Dakota SSD Benefits Lawyer.
Eligibility Requirements
The general rule for SSDI is that the claimant should have accumulated at least forty credits before filing a claim. At least twenty of these credits should have been earned in the ten-year period prior to making an attempt to acquire benefits. Claimants in their twenties are not required to possess as many credits as individuals who are forty. The SSA will make adjustments based on the claimant’s age.
SSDI is not the same as retirement benefits, which are awarded when the worker becomes sixty-five. However, once the claimant reaches this age, the benefits are converted into retirement benefits, which could cause an adjustment in the amount received each month.
The disability must meet the same eligibility requirements as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), also awarded by the SSA. The condition should render the individual incapacitated at least fifty percent of the time. Common conditions that are eligible for benefits include MS, cancer, heart failure, schizophrenia, and blindness. The applicant should submit medical evidence to support their claim and effectively identify their disability.
If the claimant is married, their spouse cannot earn more than $710 per month. However, the SSA may increase this income level based on the household size. The claimant and their spouse should not own assets that exceed $3,000 in any given month and are not allowed to own property beyond their primary residence. For more details, please visit Ficek Law, PC now.
