It is estimated that of today's 20-year-olds, about 25 percent of them will suffer a disability by the time they turn 67 years old. If their disability is so severe that it leads to an inability to work, then it can be challenging to make ends meet. That's where Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits come in.
SSDI benefits act as supplemental income for those who are disabled. However, many people may not be aware of them. Those who are aware of it can find it difficult to apply for these benefits, as the process tends to be lengthy and complicated.
In order to receive SSDI benefits, a person must meet five criteria. First, he or she must have a serious disability - one that prevents them from working. The disability must last at least one year or result in death. The disability must prevent the person from doing the same line of work he or she was engaged in before the accident occurred. The disability also must prevent the person from working in another line of employment. Finally, the person must have sufficient work credits in order to qualify for benefits. Forty work credits are required, and 20 of them must have been earned in the past 10 years.
If the disability was caused by a workplace accident, the person may be able to receive both workers' compensation and SSDI benefits. Both agencies will calculate the payments so as to ensure the person does not receive an overpayment of benefits.
The rule for applying: the sooner, the better. You should apply if you are no longer working full-time and do not anticipate that you will be able to return to full-time work within the next 12 months. SSDI applications take a long time to process - sometimes six months or longer. It's important for anyone who meets all the requirements to apply for benefits, especially since they've worked so long and hard to earn them.
Source: Chicago Tribune, "Applying for Social Security disability is a complicated process, but worth it," Elliot Raphaelson, Oct. 15, 2013
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