How Do You Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits?

If you are incapable of working for more than a year due to a disability, you may be entitled to collect Social Security Disability Benefits in Rhode Island. Our experienced disability lawyers have been handling these cases for several years now and we only charge a fee if we win your case and you receive past due benefits. Call us toll free 24/7 or contact us online for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions On Qualifying for
Social Security Disability Benefits:

What Are The Requirements For Social Security Disability Benefits?

The guidelines for Social Security Disability cases are fairly simple. To be eligible for either SSDI or SSI disability benefits, you must be financially eligible as well as medically eligible. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will examine your medical issues and determine if your condition is considered disabling. They will also examine legal/financial issues, which means they will determine whether you have earned enough credits for SSDI or have low enough income/assets for SSI.

You may qualify for is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both.

How Do You Qualify For SSD Benefits?

You must have a medical condition that is severe and either:

• meets the requirements of a Social Security impairment set forth by the SSA;
• prevents you from working at any of your past jobs;
• stops you from doing any other job with your education, age, and skill set.

In addition, your medical disability must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a minimum of one year for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You do not need to be disabled for the full year for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to be awarded.

Do You Have To Be a U.S. Citizen To Get SSDI?

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify for SSDI, however, you have to be able to prove that you are inside of the U.S. legally, in addition to the above qualifications. You have to be a U.S. citizen in order to receive SSI.

Who are SSD Benefits For?

SSDI benefits are for disabled workers who have worked at least five of the past ten years. The five years of work experience give workers enough “credits” to qualify to receive benefits. These work requirements can be waived for workers who are disabled before the age of 22, who can recover from their parents’ benefits without any adverse effect on their parents’ benefits.

The amount of benefits that a worker can receive will be based on their Social Security earnings when the individual was working. The worker’s dependent children may be able to receive benefits if the disabled individual worked for a sufficient period of time. Disability payments can be retroactive for up to one year prior to the application provided that the applicant was disabled at that time.

How Do You Show You Have A Disability?

The best way to show that you have a disability or impairment is with medical records and reports. Ask your doctor to prepare a report detailing your medical history, the symptoms of your illness/disability, your diagnosis and your prognosis. Make sure that your doctor also discusses how the disability relates to your ability to work, such as your ability to sit, stand, lift and work for an extended period of time.

Apply for Social Security benefits as soon as you and your doctor believe your impairment or disability will last longer than one year. There is no reason for you to delay your application for benefits. Waiting to file an application will only prolongs the time until you receive Social Security benefits. If you have a disability that affects your ability to work, apply as soon as possible.

Why Hire Us?

If you plan on applying or are already in the process of applying for benefits, you should consider hiring an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer near you. Our disability lawyers have experience handling the entire process, from the initial application all the way through to a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. You pay no fee unless we win your claim and you get past due benefits. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll free number or fill out a contact form on our site.