Should I apply for Social Security disability insurance benefits?

If you are unable to work due to a medical condition, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Before you begin the application process, here are a few things to know first.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a financial safety net for workers who are unable to continue working due to a serious medical condition. It is a total disability insurance program for insured workers.

Are you insured for disability benefits?

If you contributed to Social Security through jobs you’ve held by paying a payroll tax called the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), you’re insured for benefits. But, there is a catch.

Depending on your age, you must also have worked recently enough and accumulated enough quarters. For example, if you are age 31 or older, the rule is that you must have worked a total of 20 quarters, or five years, in the last 10 years to qualify for disability benefits.

Check your earnings statement

The best way to find out if you are insured for disability benefits is to check your earnings status. This statement used to be mailed to you annually about three months before your birthday. It is now available online at the Social Security Administration website.

It’s a good idea to review your account statement before applying for disability benefits. Not only will it tell you if you’re insured, but you can also find out how much your monthly cash benefit could be.

Understand that your benefits are calculated based on your work history. So if you no longer work or pay FICA taxes, you will never be able to get more benefits, even if your condition worsens.

Does your medical condition qualify?

Once you know if you are insured for benefits, the next hurdle is proving that you are disabled.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines “disability” as a condition that is so severe that it prevents you from working at any job for one year or could result in death.

The SSA has identified a long list of medical impairments that meet this definition. You can find them in a publication commonly called the SSA “Blue Book.”

If your condition is on the list, you most likely won’t have a problem qualifying for disability benefits, especially if you have medical proof and support from your doctors.

But what if your condition is not on the list? Don’t be discouraged. SSA understands that there are exceptions and has devised a complex disability assessment system that takes into account your age, job skills, education and medical history.

However, it could take months to get approved. Applying for disability is complicated, even online at the SSA website.

It may be best not to try an application on your own. Find a Social Security disability advocate to help you get your hard-earned safety net of disability benefits.