Am I Eligible for Social Security for a Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers different programs that provide financial benefits for disabled persons.  For persons who have worked a certain amount of time and paid into Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be available to you.  Furthermore, SSA provides Supplemental Social Security (SSI) benefits to low-income persons who are disabled, but who have not worked for a sufficient period of time and/or paid into Social Security. 

What Qualifies as a Disability

You may be qualified for disability benefits if you meet the following conditions:

1. You earned less than $1,000 per month in the previous year;
2. Your medical condition interferes with basic work-related activities;
3. You have a medical condition that is found in the list of the SSA’s disabling conditions that are automatically severe enough to merit an award of disability benefits;
4. If your medical condition is not on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions, it still prevents you from doing the work that you did previously; and
5. Your medical condition prevents you from doing another type of work.

The Social Security Disability Process

You can apply for Social Security disability benefits by completing an application online, or by calling or completing an application in person at your local SSA office.  In order to complete your application, you will need to have the following information:

• Your social security number and proof of  your age;
• Information regarding any medical providers who have treated you for your medical condition(s);
• A list of the medications that you are currently taking, as well as the dosages;
• Any medical records that you may possess;
• Laboratory and/or test results related to your medical condition(s);
• Information about your work history;
• Your most recent W-2 forms and/or federal income tax return

Plus, if you have a spouse or children that are applying for Social Security disability benefits along with your application, you must provide basic information about those persons as well. 

Getting Legal Help

If you are having difficulty applying for Social Security disability benefits, or if you have applied for benefits and received a notice of denial from SSA, you should contact an attorney for assistance.  An attorney experienced in Social Security benefits law will be able to advise you of the probability of obtaining benefits based on your medical condition, as well as help you present the strongest case possible in terms of documenting your medical condition(s) that render you disabled.