Social Security
Disability Insurance

 

If you have become unable to work due to a severe physical and/or mental impairment, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. Often, the process of applying for Social Security Benefits can be a confusing and frustrating endeavor, but the Susan Ritacca Law Office can guide you through each stage of the process.

 

Learn more below

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) helps individuals whose physical or mental disabilities are so severe that they are unable to perform any job in the national economy on a full-time substantial basis. SSDI provides economic security to more than 8 million disabled workers.

SSDI benefits may be paid out to you and certain family members such as:

  • Husband or wife.

  • Ex-husband or ex-wife.

  • Widow or widower.

  • Minor child under age 18 (or age 19 if still a full-time high school student).

  • Adult child with a disability who became disabled before age 22.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must have worked long enough, recently enough and have paid into Social Security via payroll taxes. You must show that you’ve earned an appropriate amount of “work credits.” These credits are based on your annual wages or income, and you can earn up to 4 credits each year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age at the time you became disabled. Most people need 40 credits (or 10 years of employment) to qualify, though younger workers who are disabled may qualify sooner.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will take the following factors into consideration:

  • Age.

  • Education.

  • Ability to communicate, read and write.

  • Work experience.

  • Physical health and functional limitations.

  • Mental health and functional limitations.

What Are the SSDI Benefits?

Monthly SSDI benefits can be as low as a few hundred dollars or as high as a few thousand dollars. The Social Security Statement provides an estimation of your benefit amounts under the early retirement, full retirement, survivors’ and disability programs. Create an account with the Social Security Administration or login at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to find out more. In addition, recipients of SSDI benefits become entitled to Medicare. Some claimants may also receive both types of benefits (SSDI) and (SSI).

Still Have Questions?

If you still need answers to your questions about SSDI, call for a free consultation. My law office also serves the greater midwest region.