Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

The process of applying for social security disability benefits can be daunting. There is so much information to absorb, much of which is in legal jargon, and the average person can be reluctant to pursue the benefits to which they are entitled. In order to seek a successful claim, you must prove that your disabilities prevent you from working or otherwise earning money. It is the mission of Southeast Disability Advocates to assist disabled individuals in navigating the Social Security disability maze. If you fit into any of the categories below, please give us a call.

Who Is Entitled To Social Security Disability Benefits?

Both adults and children are entitled to various disability benefits, depending on whether they meet the qualifications of the benefit. If you suffer from a medical condition which has affected your ability to work or is expected to affect you for 12 months or more, you qualify under the medical provision for disability benefits. There are also technical qualifications for each benefit.

The technical qualifications for benefits are where things begin to get complicated. Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility generally hinges on having worked at least five years out of the previous ten. In those five years of work you will have earned enough work credits from the taxes you paid to qualify for social security disability. The rules for qualification are also different depending on whether you are older or younger than 31.

Ineligible for Social Security Disability Benefits

If you do not qualify for SSD due to insufficient or recent work credits, you may still be able to apply for Supplemental Security Income. In order to qualify for SSI you will need to provide evidence of your disability, income, and resources. There are a large number of factors taken into consideration when determining whether you have enough income and resources on which to live. If you have real estate, are married, or have other benefits, all the income from those resources is considered as part of your claim.

Social Security Benefits For Dependents

There are two common benefits for individuals who are disabled and were previously dependent on others. Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits provide support for adult children with disabilities. The disability must have occurred between the ages of 18 and 22. There are also complex rules surrounding DAC benefits that apply to the parents of the adult child. Disabled Widow or Widower (DWB) Benefits provide support for individuals who have lost a spouse. Qualifying factors include being between the age of 50 and 60, and having initially suffered from disability within seven years of a spouse’s death.

We Can Help

The attorneys of Southeast Disability Advocates can help you support your claim for social security disability benefits. Possessing and understanding all the information required will go a great way toward securing a successful SSD or SSI claim. We will help you gather all the necessary supporting evidence and present it in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.