What is Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance Program is a U.S. government Social Security program that is run by Social Security Administration and funded through payroll tax. The SSDI program is meant for disabled individuals including their families. In order to qualify for the SSDI grant the applicant must have paid the Social Security taxes and should have sufficient work credits.
The credit for the program goes to Jo Anne Barnhart, who discussed the program in the capacity of Commissioner of Social Security with President Bush. Bamhart’s proposals on improving the disability process became a regulation on July 25, 2005.
Disability
Disability in context of Social Security Disability Insurance program refers to inability of the applicant to carry out his professional work as also to carry out any other work due to incapacitating medical condition. The duration of the disability must not be/expected not to be less than one year or the disability must be so critical that it may result in death. Moreover the applicant should be less than 65 years of age to qualify for SSDI.
Eligibility for Qualifying
In order to qualify for the SSDI grant the applicants are required to prove their disability. The ailments that qualify as a disability have been listed in the Social Security listing book. Disability broadly refers to physical, developmental, sensory or other such ailments that restrict an individuals’ capacity to work. Inability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) equaling a taxable $900 per month makes a person eligible for the grant which means that the disabling condition is so severe that the applicant is unable to perform his work and earns less than $900 per month.
In addition to the disability criteria the applicant should have paid Social Security payroll taxes for a qualifying period which varies according to the age of the applicant.
Waiver regarding work requirement can be obtained if the applicant can prove that the disability was effected at an age of 22 years or lesser.
Application
Social Security Listing of Impairments lists out the criteria for approvals related to Disability. It is important that the listing of impairments is referred by the applicants’ doctor prior to submitting the claim. Moreover the application must contain all the details concerned with the disability including the doctors and clinics involved along with their contact details. Though the estimated time for processing of the application is 3 to 4 months however in practice it extends up to as good as eight months.
Denials
The application for the claim for SSDI must be accompanied by adequate documents and details concerned with the disability else the claim is likely to be denied in all probability.
Appeal
In the eventuality of the claim having been denied, the applicant can file an appeal either in individual capacity or by hiring services of a qualified disability claim representative.
