Ways to determine your family’s eligibility for better social security benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA), formerly known as the “Social Security Board”, was first established in 1935. It was established in response to the need to help the millions of retired or elderly Americans who had lost everything during the Great Depression.

The program was later expanded to assist disabled individuals, widows, and children who might otherwise become homeless. Today, those social insurance programs are still managed by the SSA, a separate agency of the federal government. Each has particular eligibility criteria that must be satisfied to receive benefits.

Everything you will read in this article is very vital for you to determine your family’s eligibility for better social security benefits.

Types of Social Security Benefits

Social Security offers three different types of benefits:

1. Disability benefits
2. Survivor benefits
3. Retirement benefits

However, in this article, we will be zooming into just the disability benefits (SSDI). If you must get these benefits, you need precise information on how to go about it.

Social Security Disability Benefits

Disability aid is offered through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs. The SSA’s definition of “disabled” is very strict.

You must have a good understanding of how to qualify for SSDI in CA even before you employ the services of a company that has qualified social security disability lawyers.

Ways to Determine your Family’s Eligibility for Better Social Security Benefits

If you are disabled, the SSDI program will pay benefits to you and certain family members. However, this can only happen when you meet certain criteria. Some of these criteria are:

• You must be insured. This indicates that you contributed to Social Security taxes on your earnings. It proves that you worked for a sufficiently long time and recently.
• You must be unable to work due to severe disabilities. Beneficiaries are expected to have at least lived a year or passed away with this condition to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
• You must have amassed sufficient credits to be paid. To be eligible for disability benefits, if you are at least 62 years old, you must have earned 40 credits. However, less credit is required from younger applicants. Those under 24 only need a minimum of six credits.
• You must have been employed before the disability started.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides benefits to disabled adults and children who are low-income and resource-constrained.

Applying for Family Social Security Disability Benefits 

Before you can receive SSDI benefits, you have to undergo some or all of these processes. The steps for applying for disability benefits are the same whether you do them online, over the phone, or in person:

• Employ the service of a disability lawyer. Dealing with a disability can be challenging, especially if you’re unsure of your eligibility for benefits. However, you can find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) with the aid of experienced SSD lawyers. They will assist you in compiling the necessary records and proof to back up your claim.
• Complete your application and send it in to the SSA
• Your application will be examined by the SSA to make sure you satisfy a few criteria for disability benefits.
• The SSA will also verify that you have accrued enough work years. Any evaluation of your work activities will be evaluated by the SSA.
• The SSA will process your application if it reaches this point. They will contact you if they need more information from you. Then, send your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
• The state agency decides if you will get your benefits.
• You can access your personal Social Security account to check the status of your application online. However, you can contact the SSA by phone if you are not able to check your status online.
• You will be sent a letter with the SSA choice in it. They will inform you if other family members may be eligible for benefits on your record if you provided information about them when you applied.
• Any decision made by the SSA about your eligibility for benefits is subject to appeal. After receiving their decision, you have 60 days to request an appeal in writing. You have four levels of appeal:
  • Reconsideration.
  • A court of administrative law hearing.
  • A review by the Appeals Council for Social Security.
  • By the federal courts’ revision

Information You Must Include in Your Application

Be prepared to include information about yourself, your health, your jobs, and your income before applying. The information you must provide is briefly explained below:

1. Your Personal Information

You will have to provide your personal information in detail. They include;

• Your Social Security Number, birth date, and place of birth
• Your current spouse’s name, Social Security number, and birthdate or age. As well as the names of any previous spouses. Additionally, you should be aware of the places and dates of marriage as well as the dates of divorce or death (if appropriate).
• Names and birthdates of minors under the age of 18.
• The account number and the routing transit number of your bank or other financial institution.

2. Medical Information

Provide extensive information about your medical conditions, illnesses, or injuries. They include:

• The names, dates, and doctors who ordered any medical tests you’ve had.
• Names of the medications you are currently taking, along with the prescriber.
• Names, phone numbers, patient identification numbers, and dates of treatment for every doctor, medical facility, and clinic that you’ve been to.
• Name, home address, and phone number of a person who can assist you with your application and is aware of your medical conditions.

3. Information About Your Work

Information about your work will include:

• Your earnings from the previous year to the current year.
• Your employers’ names and addresses from the last and current years.
• A list of up to five jobs, along with the dates you held each position. It must be from the 15 years before your inability to work.
• Give the start and end dates of any active U.S. military service you had prior to 1968 if you were in the army.
• Information about worker’s compensation.

Summary

Depending on your work record, certain family members may be entitled to benefits if you are eligible for disability benefits. You can use the SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool to determine your potential eligibility for Social Security’s benefit programs.

It will save you a lot of stress and mistakes if you employ the services of one of the lawyers for disability claims. They can help you compile all necessary documents and help you complete the process with success in claiming your deserved benefits.