When applying for assistance due to a disability, one of the most typical questions is, “What factors affect Social Security Disability Eligibility?”. The team of attorneys with the law firm of Newlin Disability explains there are two main factors used in determining if an applicant qualifies for these benefits. They include:
- Work History – An individual applying for Social Security disability benefits must have worked long enough and made enough income to be able to collect benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a credit system to determine this. For every $1,200 of income an individual makes, they will receive one credit. To qualify for Social Security disability, a claimant typically needs 40 credits, with half of the total accrued within the past decade.
- Severity of the Condition – If an individual has acquired adequate credits to qualify for benefits, the SSA will evaluate how disabling the claimant’s ailment is. They will do so by examining the type of condition the person suffers from while utilizing medical records and doctor’s recommendations to decide in each case.
Newlin Disability and their team of Social Security Disability Lawyers recognize how confusing determining an individual’s eligibility for Social Security disability benefits can be. That is why the firm urges anyone considering applying for such benefits to discuss their case with a reputable attorney first.