The Social Security Administration defines disability as the inability
to engage in a gainful activity for twelve continuous months by reason
of physical or mental impairments. There must be a medical evidence of
a condition that prevents you from doing most types of work. When the
Social Security Administration evaluates a disability claim, it also
considers your age, education and previous work experience.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) are the largest of the Federal programs providing
assistance to people with disabilities. While these disability programs
are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social
Security Administration (SSA). Only individuals who have a disability
and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either
program. Social Security Disability Insurance applies to those people
that have sufficient quarters of coverage based upon their past
earnings, to qualify for disability insurance through Social Security.
Work credits needed for SSDI benefits depend on your age when you are
disabled. This generally means that someone who has earnings in five
out of the last ten years would qualify for SSDI benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the other hand is meant for
people that can show a financial need. Generally, SSI benefits are
financed through general tax revenues. This type of benefit is payable
to adults or children who are disabled or blind, who have limited
income and resources, who meet the living arrangement requirements and
are otherwise eligible. Basically, you may qualify for disability
benefits if you meet certain strict medical standards and by showing
that you cannot do the work you have done in the past or other kinds of
work.
Many people are denied disability benefits the first time
they apply. According to the Federal government statistics about
seventy percent of claimants filing for an initial claim are denied. As
a result, claimants should always talk with their doctors concerning
SSDI applications.
Further, Social Security residual function
capacity is a complicated and important step in the adjudication
process. It is an assessment made by the Social Security disability
adjudicators. Their assessment determines what physical and mental
capacities a claimant has left to work with after medical problems have
reduced full capacity to work.
Computing for your SSDI benefit
is based on a complex formula that the Social Security Administration
uses. In general, the formula yields a benefit amount that replaces
about forty-two percent of your earnings. Benefit amounts are
influenced by age, FICA taxes, earnings and date of disability. Thus,
if you have disability benefits to claim it is an advantage to know the
basics concerning Social Security.
