The definition social security gives of being disabled is that you
can’t work where you worked before and the disability does not allow
you to change to another type of work. The disability must also last at
least a year or result in death. For short term disabilities social
security assumes that families have other sources to turn to such as
insurance, savings, investments or workers’ compensation.
Qualifying for disability insurance is also determined by how many
social security disability credits you have earned.
Credits are given
while you are working. For each year that you work you can receive up
to four credits. Generally the rule is that a person needs at least 40
credits to qualify for disability insurance. Younger workers do no need
as many credits. For example if you are 24 when you become disabled you
only need six credits to qualify for disability insurance.
Disability insurance payments will stop when your health improves
enough that you can go back to work. Social security will be reviewed
occasionally to make sure that you still need disability insurance.
Applying for disability insurance can take a long time, so you will
want to begin the process as soon as possible. To qualify you will have
to supply social security with a number of documents and information.
This information includes: social security number; names, phone
numbers, and addresses for doctors and the hospital; dosage amount and
names of medicines you are taking; summary of where you worked and the
work you did. Documents you need to provide are: birth certificate,
medical records, lab and test results, and a copy of your W-2 or tax
return.
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