5 common FAQs pertaining to Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security is the monetary assistance that the government offers to people who have inadequate or no income. Along these lines, the government offers Social Security Disability Insurance to workers who can no longer work owing to an illness or impairment before they reach their retirement age. This is also known as “workers’ disability.” 

Who is eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance?

For Social Security Disability Insurance, both the citizens of the country and legal residents are eligible. To qualify for the insurance, the individual has to prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that they have a disability that will prevent them from working for at least one year. Moreover, the individual should have worked for a certain number of years in a job where they paid Social Security taxes, also known as FICA taxes. In case the individual has not worked there long enough and have low income and assets, they can consider applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead. This is possible if the individual has acquired a certain number of work credits. 

How many work credits does one need to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?

One is eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance when they collect the required number of work credits. One can earn up to four work credits per year and it also depends on how old the individual was when they became disabled. For instance, if the person was 50 years old, they need 28 work credits or should have worked for seven years at least to qualify for the insurance. Moreover, at least five of those years must be within the last 10 years. 

What are the terms of medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance?

One qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance if their medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability. Only those with a severe, long-term, and total disability can avail of the benefits of Social Security Disability Insurance. This is applicable only when the condition interferes with one’s basic work-related activities. The term “long term” here indicates that the condition is expected to last at least one year, and “total disability” according to SSA implies that the individual cannot perform “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) for at least one year. 

How to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance?

One can apply online or call toll-free telephone service. They can even visit the local Social Security office. However, before applying, one has to fill out the SSA’s Disability Report for adults which require information about the individual and their family, disability, employment history, and general health and treatments that they are currently undergoing.

How are the benefits of Social Security Disability calculated?

The Social Security Disability Insurance pays the individual a cash benefit every month. This amount is calculated using these factors:

• The individual’s average income for the entire time they had been in the workforce, and this is adjusted for inflation. The calculation is called average indexed monthly earnings or AIME.
• The individual’s primary insurance amount (PIA) is the sum of certain percentages of the AIME at three different thresholds, and these thresholds are adjusted by the government every year.
• It also takes into account the individual’s family maximum, which ranges from  150% to 188% of the PIA for retired-worker families and 100% to 150% of the PIA for disabled-worker families.