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To be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD), otherwise known as Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB), you must be disabled and unable to work for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, and you must meet specific work requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Disability lawyers at Berger and Green represent clients who have mental or physical disabilities in claims for SSD.
Depending on your age, there are different guidelines regarding eligibility. There are 3 age brackets, each with different work requirements. If you are under 24 you must have worked 1.5 of the last 3 years to be eligible for DIB. If you are 24 – 31 you must work 3 of the last 6 years. If you are 31 or older you must have worked 5 of the last 10 years. To determine your eligibility you can call the Social Security Administration at (412) 661-1400.
In addition to the work requirement, Social Security must also find that you are disabled. There are many types of conditions that prevent you from working, and Social Security will look at various aspects of your illness, injury, or other condition in order to make a determination about your disability.
You can choose to apply on your own or with the help of an experienced attorney. If you choose to apply for SSD benefits on your own, you can do so at your local Social Security office, by telephone, and online at the Social Security Administration website. If you apply and are denied, don’t be discouraged. It is estimated that 60-80% of first-time applicants are denied.
You can also contact an attorney’s office for a free evaluation of your case. Applicants who have experienced attorneys are more likely to be successful at every stage of the application and appeal process.
If you are awarded SSD Benefits, the amount will be determined by the amount of money that you earned and paid employment taxes on. You can request an estimate of your disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. If you are awarded Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits, other members of your family may be eligible for benefits including your spouse if he or she is 62 or older, your spouse if he or she is caring for your child who is younger than 16 or disabled, your child under the age of 18, or your unmarried disabled adult child. You will become eligible for Medicare coverage automatically after you have received disability benefits for two years.
If you are considering applying for benefits or have been denied benefits call the Social Security Disability attorneys at Berger and Green for a free evaluation of your case. The lawyers at Berger and Green have over 35 years of experience handling Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits claims.
Free case evaluations • NO attorneys’ fees or costs unless we recover a settlement, benefits, or verdict in your case • We can initiate your case by phone or e-mail – CALL today (412) 661-1400 or Contact us online
