Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly financial benefits to disabled workers. Only disabled workers who satisfy specific medical criteria may qualify for SSDI benefits. Additionally, SSDI provides benefits only if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough – and recently enough – to qualify. In southern California, if you need to receive benefits, get advice and guidance first from an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney.
Social Security “work credits” depend on your total annual wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four Social Security work credits per year. In 2014, you receive one credit for each $1,200 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits. Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The total number of credits required to receive SSDI benefits hinges on your age when you become disabled. Most workers applying for SSDI payments need forty credits, and twenty of them must be earned in your last ten working years. Younger workers with fewer credits may also qualify for payments in some circumstances.
If you apply to receive SSDI payments, a knowledgeable disability benefits lawyer can increase your chances of receiving benefits by helping you accurately and completely file the application forms, making sure deadlines are met, and – if necessary – representing you at hearings before a Social Security administrative law judge. Denial of initial applications is typical, but do not be daunted; benefits are often granted after appeals or hearings.
If your SSDI application has been denied, if your application is pending, or if you’re just now considering SSDI benefits, seek the counsel of a good disability benefits attorney who can explain how Social Security makes its determinations regarding disability and guide you through the application process. It can be a long ordeal, so if you need SSDI benefits in southern California, get started immediately and contact an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney today.