Readers of this blog should understand that Social Security provides financial benefits including SSDI or Supplement Security Income to certain people who are disabled and unable to work. However, there are a number of eligibility requirements that a person must meet in order to qualify.
Work and income are two crucial requirements. Too many people make the mistake of assuming that they have to stop working altogether to qualify for SSDI or that they can collect these benefits regardless of their work history. In this post, we will clear up these misconceptions.
To begin with, you do not need to quit your job if you are disabled. However, if you are still working in the job you were before a serious injury and for the same or similar number of hours, the Social Security Administration will likely see that as evidence that you are not disabled and your injury is not preventing you from gainful activity. But technically, you can continue to work.Â
However, if you earn more than $1,130 per month in 2016 (or $1,090 per month in 2015), then you cannot qualify for SSDI. These limits are increased slightly for blind applicants.
Further, there are requirements set that prohibit a person from collecting SSDI if he or she has not earned enough work credits. Credits are earned through working for a certain number of years in the time before you were injured. These requirements vary based on the age at which a person is disabled but essentially, an older person will have to have worked for more years prior to disability than a younger applicant.Â
Being unable to work at all or as much as you want can be frustrating, stressful and scary for any person. Add in the inevitable challenges that come with a disabling injury and it can all be quite overwhelming. However, with legal support and guidance, you can seek the benefits you may be eligible to receive.