Who is Eligible for SSD?

Social Security Disability Lawyer

Anyone who is no longer able to work due to an illness or medical condition that is expected to last a year or longer can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Measuring Disability

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step evaluation process to decide whether a person is disabled and therefore, eligible for benefits. Factors they review include:

Are you currently working or earning an income?
Is your medical condition severe—limiting your ability to do basic work activities for at least a year?
Is your medical condition on the agency’s List of Impairments; a list that automatically labels a person as being disabled?
Can you manage the work that you were able to do before?
Is there any other type of work you can do?

Limits

Anyone can apply for Disability benefits until full retirement age is reached, as long as the SSA’s definition of disabled is met. Once you reach retirement age and begin drawing Social Security, you are no longer eligible to apply for disability. Also, those applying for disability must have worked a certain amount of time before they can become eligible.

Family

Some family members of people who receive Social Security Disability may also be eligible for benefits, such as:

your spouse, if he or she is 62 years old or older
your spouse, at any age, if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is disabled or younger than 16 years old
your unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild—the child must be 18 years old or younger, or 19 years old if in elementary or secondary school full time
your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22—the child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability for adults

Free Consultation

If you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits and want a professional law firm that puts clients first, contact the Social Security Disability lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin. Complete a free online consultation form or call us toll free at (800) 618-4878 to contact us today.