Eligibility for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits is important for many disabled individuals and their families. Social Security disability benefits can help disabled individuals with their daily needs while they are unable to work because of a disabling medical condition they suffer from.
There are several components to SSD eligibility that disabled individuals should be familiar with and understand. The process of applying for SSD benefits can be long and arduous which is why it is useful to know how to qualify.
Disabling medical condition
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the disabled individual must suffer from a medical condition that is severe enough that it prevents them from working. In addition, the medical condition cannot be temporary in nature and must be expected to last for 12 months or longer or result in death. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of disabling medical conditions but the disabled individual may also be able to prove their disability. It is important for disabled individuals to provide thorough and complete medical records when applying for disability benefits.
Work history requirements
The disabled individual must not be able to perform their usual type of work or any other type of work to qualify for SSD benefits. In addition to their disability, the disabled applicant must also meet work history requirements to qualify for SSD benefits. Work history credits are earned based on the disabled individual’s work history in qualifying jobs that paid into Social Security disability.
Unfortunately, in many cases, initial applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied and the process can be arduous and time-consuming. For this reason, it is beneficial for disabled applicants to know in advance how to qualify for benefits and to present the strongest application possible for the badly-needed benefits.