The Social Security Disability Income program is one of two disability programs run by the Social Security Administration, with the other being Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The programs are funded federally but are not meant for all citizens, despite the similarity between them.
The Social Security Disability Income program is specifically for individuals who are disabled by blindness and some of their eligible family members. The recipients must be insured for them to receive.
The Social Security Disability Income is also based on earnings. This is because employees and employers pay into social security. Over time, the benefits are then accrued based on the FICA contributions made over the years.
More than this, it is important to note that the program has an associated health insurance program, and qualified individuals can enjoy this benefit. The documentation for eligibility for the program is recent wage information that could be W-2 or paycheck stubs. If this is not available, a working and earning history can be used.
What are the new requirements outlined by the Social Security Administration?
The requirements that must be in place for a citizen to partake in the Social Security Disability Income payment have undergone some changes. This was done to ensure that those who are qualified have the right guidelines to follow while also ensuring that it is accessible to more people who qualify.
Therefore, to qualify, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- The individual must have worked in a job covered by Social Security.
- More than this, the individual must have a recent work history.
- They must also have worked long enough to qualify to enjoy the program’s benefits.
- The individual must also have a medical condition that qualifies under the Social Security definition of disability.
- In addition, if the individual was found to be disabled before they applied, they could receive payments for as long as 12 months.
- This means they cannot work at substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to their medical condition.
- The individual cannot continue the work that they previously did or even adjust to another job due to the medical condition.
- The medical condition should have lasted for one year or is expected to last for the next one year, or worse, result in death.
- This means individuals with short-term injuries or disabilities will not be considered.
- The required credit score must be satisfied.
- The required credit score must total up to 40.
- The last 20 must have been earned in the last 10 years of working. This must end with the year that the disability began.
With the new requirements, individuals who satisfy the conditions can lay claim to the SSDI payments.
