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Qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSD) Benefits
Understanding whether you are eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be very complicated. The Social Security Administration applies a complex formula to determine each individual’s eligibility. Knowing whether you qualify requires a thorough understanding of both the law and your medical condition. The experienced attorneys at David Allen & Associates can help you understand the requirements and seek the SSD benefits to which you are entitled.
In order to qualify for SSD benefits, you need to meet two requirements: You must have worked long enough and recently enough to hold a sufficient number of Social Security work credits; and, You must be “disabled,” as that term is defined by the Social Security Administration. Our Social Security attorneys are here to walk you through the process whether in Reno, San Diego, or anywhere in-between.
The first requirement to qualify for SSD benefits is a sufficient number of “credits” through your work experience. Wages, salary, and self-employment income all count toward satisfying your credit requirement. Generally speaking, you can earn up to four credits per year if you make a sufficient amount of income in each quarter. The amount of earnings needed changes almost every year. For example, in 2003 you could have earned four credits if you made at least $890 each quarter; however, in 2013, the quarterly earnings requirement is $1,160.
The second requirement for SSD benefit eligibility is to suffer from “total” disability. SSD does not provide benefits short-term or partial disability. Our attorneys can help you understand what “disabled” means for purposes of qualifying for SSD benefits. Please click the paragraph title link above to learn more.
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