Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides essential benefits for those who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. SSDI work credit requirements in Southfield are a key factor in determining whether you qualify for benefits. If your situation is complicated or you are unsure whether you can receive payments, an SSDI attorney can help. Applying for benefits can be complicated. Your lawyer can make sure you meet all the requirements and have completed your application correctly.
What Are the Work Credit Requirements for SSDI Applicants?
To qualify for SSDI payments, the disabled Southfield worker needs to have accumulated enough Social Security work credits during their career. Most workers need to have 40 credits, with 20 of those credits earned within the last 10 years. Credits are based on earnings, and workers can earn up to four per year. $1,810 in earnings results in one work credit, and earning $7,240 gets the maximum number of credits for the year. This dollar amount is adjusted each year based on the national average income. Self-employed people earn work credits the same way as long as they are paying self-employment taxes. Some employers, like some state and local governments, do not pay into Social Security, so their employees are not eligible for SSDI benefits.
Most people who have worked for 10 years, even part-time, will qualify for benefits. Because 20 of the credits need to have been earned within the last 10 years, those who leave the workforce for years can lose eligibility for benefits. For example, someone who works for 10 years, spends 10 years as a stay-at-home parent, returns to work, and becomes disabled shortly afterward would generally not qualify for benefits.
What Happens if a Disabled Person in Southfield Is Too Young to Have Enough Work Credits?
If a person becomes disabled in their 20s, they may not have reasonably been able to accrue 40 credits. Social Security considers this and adjusts the work credit requirement based on the disabled Southfield person’s age. If someone becomes disabled before age 24, they can qualify with six credits earned over the last three years. If they are ages 24 and 31, they can qualify if they have credits for half of the years between turning 21 and becoming disabled. For example, a 29-year-old with a new disability would need to have worked for four of the last eight years to be eligible for SSDI. Those 31 and older can usually qualify with 20 credits earned over the last 10 years. Younger workers who have some work credits but fewer than 40 can consult with an SSDI lawyer to discuss whether they can receive benefits.
Review Your SSDI Application With a Southfield Attorney Today
Getting SSDI benefits can be a slow process. It is important to make sure your application is completed correctly so you can prove your eligibility without any unnecessary delays. In addition to the disability requirement, SSDI work credit requirements in Southfield are essential for qualifying for the benefits you need. If you are a younger worker, you are uncertain about your eligibility, or other factors that complicate your situation, hiring our attorneys can be a good idea. Contact Thurswell Law at (248) 654-8807 to discuss your disability case now.
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