Determining SSD Eligibility

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to provide benefits for people who have worked and paid into Social Security, but have suffered impairment through injury or illness and are unable to work. To qualify for SSDI, you must be completely disabled – unable to engage in any type of work for gainful employment, regardless of your occupation before you became disabled.

Your disability must arise from a serious medical condition that is expected to continue for at least one year or until death. Whether physical or mental, the condition must have been diagnosed using acceptable medical techniques, and specific evidence must be provided to support your claim.

How is Disability Defined?

The Social Security Administration has its own unique definition of “disability,” and according to SSA, it differs from the definitions used by other programs. No benefits are payable under SSD for partial or short-term disability. For SSD purposes, you are considered disabled only if:

• You are unable to do the work that you did before you became disabled;
• SSA decides that you are unable to adjust to other work because of your medical condition; and
• Your disabling medical condition has lasted for at least one year or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

Types of Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration administers two separate programs that pay out benefits to disabled individuals: the Social Security Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. While Social Security Disability benefits are paid out of the Social Security fund, SSI benefits are not. This is a needs-based program, with benefits paid out of the general tax fund, and there is no work history requirement.

If you are disabled but cannot qualify for SSD benefits because of insufficient work history, you may still be eligible for SSI benefits. The purpose of the Supplemental Security Income program is to provide benefits to disabled children and adults who have limited means.

Under the Social Security Act, the types of disability benefits available are:

• Social Security Disability Insurance
• Social Security Disability Insurance: Disabled Widow, Widower, or Surviving Divorced Spouse
• Social Security Disability Insurance: Childhood Disability
• Supplemental Security Income
• Supplemental Security Income: Child’s Disability

How We Can Help

At The Los Angeles Auto Accident Attorneys, we have extensive experience handling Social Security Disability claims. We can help you with your application, help ensure that you provide sufficient medical proof of disability, and represent you in the appeals process. As experienced attorneys, we can help ensure that your case is presented fully and professionally to the Administrative Law Judge.

Our Los Angeles Social Security Disability attorneys will protect your rights and work hard to help you get the benefits you need. Contact our firm today for sound legal counsel and top-notch representation in your Social Security Disability claim.