Suffering an injury or a health condition that leaves you disabled takes both a physical and an emotional toll on a person. At the office of Tuite Law, we know that if you are disabled and unable to work, you may be anxious about how you will support yourself and your loved ones without an income. If your condition meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of a disability, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. To learn more about how our experienced lawyers can help, reach out to us directly by phone or online to get started.
Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Whether or not you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits depends on 1) whether you have a condition that leaves you disabled in the eyes of the SSA, and 2) whether you have enough earned work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or you are of limited income and resources and therefore qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The Social Security Administration determines if a person is disabled by asking a series of questions:
- Are you able to work or can you adjust to new work? In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you can not be engaged in substantial gainful activity. If you are able to perform work that you used to do or if you are able to transition to new work, the SSA will likely disqualify you for benefits.
- For how long is your condition expected to last? In order to qualify for SSDI benefit, your disabling condition must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
- How severe is your condition? A disabling condition is one that severely limits your activity to engage in basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, sitting, walking, remembering, etc.
- Is your list on the Social Security Administration list of disabling conditions? If your condition is already listed on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions, then you will automatically be considered disabled.
How Much Can I Receive in Social Security Disability Benefits?
How much you can receive in Social Security disability benefits will depend on the disability program you’re applying for (SSDI vs. SSI), as well as how much you earned during your working years if you are applying for SSDI benefits. With that in mind, the average monthly benefit payment is $577 for SSI and $1,128 for SSDI.
Call Our Sterline Social Security Disability Lawyer Directly Today
If you are disabled and in need of Social Security disability benefits, we strongly recommend calling a skilled Social Security disability lawyer in Sterling. Filing a disability claim is a complicated process, and without a thorough understanding of the process and what the SSA is looking for, you risk having your claim denied. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm, call us directly today at (815) 965-5777 or send us a message online at your convenience.
