Social Security Disability Qualifications

Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability?

Few things are more devastating than being unable to work due to a mental or physical disability. It can be extremely disheartening to know that you are unable to provide an income for yourself and your family. That financial hardship can leave you searching for alternative ways to provide for your loved ones.

After researching online and discussing your situation with trusted friends and family, you may decide to apply for Social Security disability. Seeking Social Security disability benefits is an intense and time-consuming process and requires a high level of dedication and understanding. In order to give your case the best chance of success, you should discuss your situation with a qualified disability attorney from Parmele Law Firm.

At Parmele Law Firm, we are experts in social security disability law. With our experience, knowledge, and dedication, we have helped thousands of people like you win their social security disability claim. Contact us today for a free consultation!

The First Steps to Understanding Social Security Disability

Whether you’ve been hurt on the job or you are suffering from an illness unrelated to your work, figuring out alternative methods of income can be extremely stressful. This stress causes many people to see if they meet Social Security disability qualifications. Unfortunately, just having a disability is not enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. In order to qualify, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. If you paid Social Security taxes during your employment, you have worked at a job that is covered by Social Security. By working in a job covered by Social Security, you build up work credits that are then used to determine if you qualify for disability benefits.

What Are Work Credits and How Do They Work?

Work credits are based on the total yearly wages that you collected while you were employed at a job covered by Social Security. You can earn up to four credits for each year that you worked. The number of work credits required to qualify for disability benefits depends on the age you were when you became disabled. Typically, you would need 40 credits, and half of those credits must have been earned in the last 10 years. If you are younger, that number may be different. Work credits only last for a certain amount of time before they lapse. In order to use credits before they lapse, you have to show, within five years of your last employment, that you have become disabled.

Proving a Long-lasting Impairment

The other main qualification that you must meet in order to qualify for Social Security disability is proving that your disability will last for a year or more. This determination must be made by a doctor with accurate documentation, and there must also be documentation showing that you have sought out treatment for your disability. The Social Security Administration will not grant disability benefits to someone who has not attempted to manage their disability with medically supervised treatments.

Social Security Disability Help From Parmele Law Firm

If you are suffering from a mental or physical disability that is impeding your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The experienced team of disability lawyers at Parmele Law Firm can help. We will help you through every step of the process, from the initial claim application to the appeal and hearing process. Let us help you get compensation and support, so you can provide for your family while you are receiving treatment for your disability. For more information on our law firm and how our disability attorney team can help you put your best foot forward, explore the Parmele Law Firm website and schedule your free consultation today. We look forward to helping you with your case.

Menu