Whether your injuries are physical or mental, you may qualify for Social Security Unemployment Benefits. Whether you’ve been injured in a car wreck, or you’re suffering from an ailment that constitutes long-term disability, you will have to know how to deal with the SSA to get your benefits.
The Social Security benefits program is a needs-based program, and while you may not have paid in enough to quality for regular disability, there are other criteria. There are two things that will be considered: 1) you are unable to work five days a week; 2) you are unable to work 40 hours during a week.
To qualify for regular disability, you must have worked and paid into Social Security taxes for ten (10) years. How much you receive, will depend on how much you’ve paid in.
The basic requirements are simple:
- Proof that you have been unable to work for a 12 month period, or
- That you will be unable to work for 12 months or longer
On the very first day that you are unable to work, you may apply for Social Security disability benefits.
Usually, the first time you file for SS disability, it is recommended that you do that on your own by going into a SS office for a face-to-face interview with staff there. Of course, an attorney can advise you on how to do this and possibly save you a lot of time and frustration.
For children who are on disability, the coverage ends at the age of 18 years. After that time, the person will undergo a redetermination to decide whether or not they are now covered by the adult listings of the disability, or the case law.
If you have questions about Social Security Disability, consult our Online Legal Directory to find an attorney in your area.