Disability/Social Security ??

[livndisney]

I need help from the EXPERTS

Is disability/ss dependent on how long you have worked? And if so how long do you have to work before you "qualify"?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, it is. I don't know off the top of my head. However, every year, a few months before your birthday, you should receive a mailing from SSA which will discuss numbers that apply to you. Check to see if you have one from within the last year; that will give you lots of useful information.

 

[dclfun]

SSI is not dependent on how long you've worked or even if you've worked but there are income limits vs. with SSDI. Also if a disabled child is under age 21 and has a deceased parent who paid enough credits into Social Security, the child is eligible for SSDI under that parent's work record. This happened to my son who was age 20 last year when he went into renal failure. He first got SSDI under his deceased father's record then after the 6 month waiting period he got SSDI in a higher amt. under his own work record as he'd been working since high school. I don't want to guess on the credits needed but you can visit the Social Security website to find out or just call a representative. The SGA changed this year to $940 so you cannot be earning any more than that if/when you apply for SSDI.--Kathy

 

[Earstou]

There are more requirements than just how long you've worked. Check out Social Security Online for all the details! http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm

 

[barkley]

when you look at 'how long you worked' also keep in mind that ss quarters go back decades and look to all jobs you worked for that contributed. this was a huge factor in my ability to qualify for ssdi over ssi as compared to a friend who applied at an almost identical age. while my friend had worked for many years in a full time job did'nt have enough quarters, i by virtue of having worked part time jobs on and off during highschool and college and then working fewer years full time DID have enough quarters (all those quarters dating back decades ago pushed me over the top).

 

[LauraVV]

If a child is disabled under age 18 and they have a parent who has been on SS for two years (either SS for disability or for retirement) then the disabled adult child is able to collect under the parent's work history.

There are two types of disability--one based on work history and one for those without such histories.

 

[leanan]

Thanks Guys for this thread. It answered a lot of my own questions. I never thought to ask here so I also appreciate the OP for being brave enough and smart enough to ask here.