Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are insured (meaning that you worked long enough and paid social security taxes). Disability under social security is based on your inability to do work.

You are considered disabled if:

You cannot do the work you did before you became disabled and adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s).

Your disability must also last, or be expected to last for at least a year or result in death.

Social Security is not intended for a short-term condition.

Qualification Requirements
The Social Security Administration uses a step by step process to determine if you are disabled. The following questions are asked.

• "Are you working?"
• "Is your condition 'severe'?"
• "Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?"
• "Can you do the work you did previously?"
• "Can you do any other type of work?"

In addition to meeting the definition of disability, you must have worked long enough to qualify.

Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. Whatever your age, you must have earned the required number of work credits within a certain period ending with the time you became disabled.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Social Security Administration | 800-772-1213 | www.ssa.gov