qualifying for DISABILITY
If you have severe physical and/or mental impairment(s) that prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months, or will result in death, you may qualify for monthly payments from the Social Security Administration and Medicare coverage. In order to pursue your claim, you should hire an experienced attorney to navigate the system for you.
Our office provides the personalized attention needed during this difficult time. You will have access to your attorney throughout the entire process.
All cases are handled on a contingency basis- we do not collect a fee unless you win your claim.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD), go to ssa.gov and set up an account. Once you complete the account, the website will take you to a page that has information about whether you qualify for SSD, and if so, the amount of your monthly benefit.
Types of programs:
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (ssdi)
If you have paid Social Security taxes over a sufficient period of time, you will qualify to have disability insurance coverage in force. You must prove you became disabled while this disability insurance coverage was in force. If you are approved, you are generally entitled to a monthly payment and Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits begin 30 months after your legal disability began. Your legal dependents may also be entitled to payments.
sUPPLEMENTAL security INCOME (SSI)
SSI benefits are not dependent on whether you have paid in Social Security tax. In order to qualify for SSI benefits, you must prove you are disabled according to the same rules as are used in SSDI. You must also prove that you meet the SSA’s financial criteria for SSI benefits.
Children 18 or younger with a severe disability can also qualify for a monthly SSI benefit if their family income meets the financial standards. People who get SSI alone are not eligible for Medicare.
Disabled widow/widower benefits (dwb)
If you are a disabled widow/er of a deceased worker who earned enough Social Security credits, you may qualify for benefits. You must be at least 50 years old and have been married for at least 10 years to the person who was covered under Social Security at the time of his/her death. Additional rules apply.
Disabled adult child (DAC)
If you can prove you are disabled between the ages of 18-22, and have a parent who is entitled to Social Security benefits, you may qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits. You can not be married and collect this type of benefit.