Who is Entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits?

Does your disability qualify for Social Security benefits? Discover who is entitled to Social Security benefits and what to expect.

Social Security disability benefits are a type of monetary government assistance to individuals who have become disabled and are no longer able to work. Social Security disability will pay you a percentage of your income prior to your disability.

For the purposes of Social Security disability, an individual is only paid for total disability. Social Security disability does not apply to partial or temporary disabilities. You disability has to be one of the qualifying disabilities recognized by Social Security under their List of Impairments.

Basic requirements for Social Security disability benefits

In order to be entitled to Social Security disability benefits you have to meet three specific requirements.

1) You cannot do the work you previously did.
2) You cannot adjust to other work because of your disability.
3) Your disability is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

In addition, in order to qualify for disability you cannot currently be earning over $1,000 a month. You will also be required to pass the recent work test and duration of work test. The recent work test is based on the age of the applicant at the time the disability began. Duration of work test will confirm that the applicant worked long enough contributing to social security.

The Application Process

During the application process, your doctor will be contacted in order to determine your ability to do basic activities such as walking, lifting and carrying. The Social Security office will determine your status as disabled. Your personal doctor will not be the one to classify you as disabled.

Application Approval and Denial

Once your application is approved, your first disability payment will not be issued until 6 months after the disability began. Individuals who are denied Social Security disability benefits can appeal the decision. You may want to hire an attorney to help with the appeals process. When you win your appeal, you will receive back pay to the time you applied. This payment is typically what you will use to pay your attorney.

Related posts

1. What Is The Wait Time for Social Security Disability Benefits?
2. Should I Apply for Social Security Disability?
3. Who Gets Social Security Disability Benefits?
4. How long will my Social Security Disability Benefits be paid to me?
5. How Does Social Security Decide if I Am Disabled?

2 Responses to “Who is Entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits?”

1. Taneka Bacolor says:

   August 17, 2011 at 4:21 pm

   hi!!!
2. Pablo Collopy says:

   December 19, 2011 at 5:19 am

   I have been checking out many of your posts and i must say clever stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.

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