How Is Social Security Disability Eligibility Determined?

February 3, 2014

When applying for assistance due to a disability, one of the most typical questions that is asked is, “What factors affect Social Security Disability Eligibility?”. The team of attorneys with the law firm of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin explain there are two main factors used in determining if an applicant qualifies for these benefits. They include:

• Work History– An individual applying for Social Security disability benefits must have worked long enough and made enough income to be able to collect benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a credit system in order to make this determination. For every $1,200 of income an individual makes, they will receive one credit. To qualify for Social Security disability, a claimant will typically need a total of 40 credits, with half of the total being accrued within the past decade.
• Severity of the Condition– If an individual has acquired adequate credits to qualify for benefits; the SSA will then evaluate just how disabling the claimant’s ailment is. They will do so by examining the type of condition the person is suffering from, while utilizing medical records and doctor’s recommendations to make a determination in each case.

Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin and their team of Social Security Disability Lawyers recognize how confusing the process of determining an individual’s eligibility for Social Security disability benefits can be. That is why the firm urges anyone considering applying for such benefits to discuss their case with a reputable attorney first.