West Palm Beach Social Security Disability Lawyer

Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Two criteria must be met to qualify for SSDI benefits. First, you must have:

• Worked in a job(s) covered by Social Security for a specified amount of time; and,
• You must be suffering from a medical condition defined as a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. Under Social Security rules, the SSA considers you disabled if:

• Your condition prohibits you from doing the work that you did before;
• You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition; and,
• Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or is expected to result in death.

SSDI benefits do not pay for partial or short-term disability.

The Social Security Disability Claims Process

The Social Security Administration will review your initial application to see if you meet the basic requirements. It will then be sent to Florida’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. The office will investigate and determine whether the medical evidence supports your disability claim. Evidence about your medical history, tests, treatments, and ability to work, from your physicians, treating hospitals, clinics or institutions will be considered.

The DDS office will then decide if you qualify. If your claim is approved, you will be notified by letter, which will show the number of benefits and when the payments will start. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal the decision.