How do I qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
Knowing how to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, and prepare a strong application for them, is essential for disabled individuals in need of the important benefits. There are different requirements disabled applicants must meet and demonstrate to qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits that they should be aware of.
Medical history requirements for Social Security disability
In general, the disabled applicant must suffer from a medical condition that is severe enough that it prevents them from working. It must also be expected to last for 12 months or longer or result in death. When evaluating disability, the Social Security Administration looks to determine:
- That the disabled applicant cannot perform the work they did prior;
- That the disabled applicant cannot adjust to another type of work because of the medical conditions they duffer from; and
- The disability the disabled applicant suffers from has lasted, or is expected to last, for a year or result in death.
Work history requirements for Social Security disability benefits
In addition to medical history requirements, disabled applicants for Social Security disability benefits must also meet work history requirements and must have enough work history, that is recent enough, to have the necessary work history credits to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The amount of earnings needed to qualify for Social Security disability work history credits varies from year-to-year so disabled applicants should be familiar with what is needed to qualify when they are applying for benefits.
Disabled applicants for Social Security disability benefits need to know how to prepare their medical records and application for Social Security disability benefits. Most initial applications for SSD benefits are denied so it is helpful to be as familiar with the process as possible at the outset to secure the oftentimes badly-needed benefits.