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(203) 853-4999If you are unable to work due to a disabling condition, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security law imposes two main eligibility criteria for SSDI benefits, including that a person be disabled and have a sufficient work history. A Norwalk SSDI eligibility lawyer could offer more insight on these criteria and assist you in pursing disability benefits.
The first and most crucial eligibility requirement for SSDI concerns whether a person is considered disabled under Social Security law. According to Code of Federal Regulations §404.1505, a person is disabled if they suffer from a medical condition that prevents them from participating in substantially gainful activity, which the law defines as working a job that results in monthly earnings in excess of $1,350.
It is a claimant’s responsibility to meet this definition of disability with either a physical or mental condition. They can do so by providing medical records directly to the SSA, as well as the names and contact information of all doctors who have treated the disabling condition. It may also be necessary to submit vocational evidence regarding the applicant’s inability to work. A Norwalk SSDI eligibility attorney could further explore whether a person’s medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability.
The second factor in SSDI eligibility is whether a person has worked enough in the past. SSDI is a taxpayer-funded program that workers pay into with every paycheck. In other words, they must have paid enough income taxes over the years to qualify for SSDI.
According to the SSA, a person can earn one work credit for every three months that they spend on the job. SSDI applicant generally must have earned a total of 40 credits with at least 20 earned in the past 10 years. The law recognizes that workers who become disabled at a young age may never be able to reach this milestone, so the amount of work credits needed to prove SSDI eligibility will vary depending on a worker’s age on the onset of their disability. Let a Norwalk lawyer explain the rules that allow younger workers to meet this SSDI eligibility requirement.
Proving your eligibility for SSDI benefits can be an essential step toward financial stability. Applicants must show that they meet the SSA’s definition of disability and that they have worked enough in the past to qualify for disability payments. This may require the acquisition of substantial medical records and work history reports.
A Norwalk SSDI eligibility lawyer could help you better understand what the SSA needs to see to approve a claim and whether your case is likely to succeed. Let our attorneys work on your behalf to obtain the necessary information and submit it to the SSA in a timely manner. Call today to learn more about what our team could do in your case.