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No Longer Able to Work? You May be Entitled to SSD.

If you have a work history but have become disabled to the point where you can no longer support yourself through employment, you may be entitled to receive monthly Social Security disability (SSD) insurance benefits.

Determining Whether You Qualify for Disability Benefits

SSD insurance benefits are the lynch pin of the Social Security disability system. Employees and their employers pay into the Social Security system through payroll taxes, and in return, they are entitled to benefits if they become disabled.

This program is sometimes referred to as SSDI (for Social Security Disability Insurance) or DIB (for disability insurance benefits). All of these terms refer to the same program. In order to be eligible for benefits on your employment record, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • You must not be working full-time or earning more than $1000 per month.
  • You must show either that 1) you meet the criteria for a listed impairment, or 2) that you have a disability that prevents you from doing any work you have done within the last 15 years as well as any other jobs existing in significant numbers.
  • Your disability must last or be expected to last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. This does not mean that you have to wait a year to apply. If you meet these criteria and have worked enough quarters to qualify for Social Security disability insurance, the lawyers at our firm can help you apply for disability benefits and appeal your claim through the system if it is initially denied.

Understanding Where Your Insurance Benefits Come From

Many people think of Social Security disability benefits as a kind of welfare and are reluctant to apply for them for that reason. But Social Security disability is not a government handout. It is an insurance program for people with a work history.

The money you have paid over the years in Social Security taxes entitles you to insurance against long-term disability, just as if you signed up with a private insurance company.

At The Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, PLLC, we represent clients in Buffalo New York who are seeking Social Security disability benefits. Contact us today to set a up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Social Security Practice Areas