Does Social Security Offer Long Term Disability?

Social Security offers long-term disability insurance, through Social Security Disability payments. The Social Security Administration administers several programs. Most people are familiar with Social Security retirement benefits and survivor’s benefits for widows, widowers and their families. Social Security also provides disability benefits. The Disability benefits program is for workers who can no longer work because of illness or accidents that are not work related.

Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are long-term insurance benefits. You cannot receive benefits under this program unless your illness or injury is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition. Anyone who has been employed and paid social security taxes through their wages or as a self-employed person can receive social security disability benefits. You receive a work credit for each calendar quarter. In 2010, you must earn at least $1080 in a quarter to receive a work credit. You can earn up to four work credits in any calendar year.  

There are medical and non-medical criteria that must be met. Non-medical criteria involve two earnings requirements the recent workduration of work requirement. The amount of time you must have worked before you become eligible depends upon your age at the time that you become disabled. On average, a person over the age of 30 must have worked five of the last ten years to be eligible for benefits. There is no specific age requirement to receive disability benefits.   requirement and the

If you are unsure about your eligibility for benefits, you can go online to get more information. Social Security has developed a Benefits Eligibility Screen Tool (BEST). Using BEST you can determine your eligibility for retirement, disability, survivors, special veterans, and supplemental security income. BEST is user friendly and can be used by someone trying to help a friend or relative who is concerned about benefits as well as the potential claimant.  

One other advantage of the Social Security system is that it provides a method for an applicant to get legal help if they are applying for benefits. Social Security will set aside a portion of an applicant’s past due benefits to pay attorney’s fees. There are law firms that specialize in disability law and issues. If you are looking for representation, it is best to find a firm that specializes in disability law, as there are issues that are unique to Social Security and its various regulations.