What Types of Social Security Disability Benefits Are Available?
There are various types of Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. They include benefits for disabled workers as well as for their spouses and children. To qualify for each type of disability, an applicant must meet specific requirements.
We have provided a closer look at these different requirements below. Please review them closely to get a better understanding of your case. We also encourage you to contact an attorney with a background in handling SSD benefits claims, including appeals.
Social Security attorney Frank M. Eidson is available to discuss your case. We can review your medical records, work history, any applications you have filed and denial letters you may have received from the Social Security Administration (SSA). We will work closely with you to pursue all benefits you and your family are due.
We serve clients throughout Orlando and Winter Park and across Florida. Contact us today to get started in your case.
Disabled Workers
To qualify for SSD benefits, a worker must meet several eligibility requirements. The worker must:
- Be younger than age 65
- Have at least 20 Social Security work credits that have been earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year that the worker became disabled
- Suffer from a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of a “disability.”
Many applicants for SSD benefits are confused about work credits. To explain: When you work and pay taxes, you earn work credits. You can earn up to four work credits per year. The older you are, the more work credits you must have earned in order to get disability benefits. However, in most cases, younger workers and blind workers do not have to have as many work credits.
Also, it is important to understand how the SSA defines “disability.” We have entire page on our website that is dedicated to explaining this definition. However, in general terms, you are considered to be disabled if:
- You are not employed or you earn less than the SSA-established earnings limit ($1,070 per month in 2014).
- Your disability is so severe that you cannot do basic work tasks like standing, walking or remembering.
- You have a medical condition that is listed among the SSA’s Listing of Impairments or that is equal in severity to a listed condition.
- You have been disabled for one year or more, or your disability is expected to last for one year or more or it is expected to result in death.
- You cannot perform the work you performed prior to becoming disabled.
- Your disability prevents you from obtaining any other employment.
Spouses of Disabled Workers
For a disabled worker’s spouse to receive disability benefits based on the disabled worker’s record, there are certain eligibility requirements. The spouse must be:
- Age 62 or older or
- Of any age and caring for a child under age 16 or disabled.
Children of Disabled Workers
For a child of a disabled worker to be eligible for disability benefits based on the parent’s work record, the child must be:
- Under age 18 or
- Under age 19 and in elementary or secondary school full time or
- Age 18 or older with a disability that started before the child turned age 22.
Get Help from a Winter Park / Orlando SSD Benefits Attorney
The best way to determine if you qualify for disability benefits is to contact an attorney with experience handling these unique and often complex cases. If you live in the Orlando and Winter Park area, contact attorney Frank M. Eidson. He understands how important SSD benefits are for the health and security of a disabled worker and his or her family. His firm is dedicated to helping clients pursue all benefits they need and deserve. Simply contact the firm today by phone or online to learn more.
Sources/More Information
