Will I Qualify for Social Security Disability?

Social Security has two disability programs, and most individuals qualify for one or both disability programs. Social Security disability is based upon insured status (individuals must have worked enough to qualify), however Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based upon income and resources. All of this may sound complicated and it is to a certain degree. However, a Social Security claims representative will explain the qualifications of both programs at length during your disability interview.

Although the non-medical qualifications of Social Security’s disability programs differ, the medical qualifications of both disability programs are the same.

For instance, Social Security uses a five step sequential evaluation to determine if an individual is qualified to receive disability benefits from either program. This five-step sequential evaluation process involves an evaluation of your work activity, educational background, age, and the severity of your medical and/or mental impairments. If you meet all of the medical and vocational qualifications of the five step sequential evaluation, you may qualify for Social Security benefits.

In fact, if you meet the qualifications of the sequential evaluation process, you will be allowed for Social Security disability, assuming you are insured (your work activity has earned you enough quarters of coverage to be insured) for Social security disability.

However, an individual who only qualifies for the need-based Supplemental Security Income program, or is entitled to both SSI and Social Security disability, must meet the income and resource qualifications of SSI, in addition to the medical and vocational requirements of Social Security disability.

What happens when you are found medically disabled if you have applied for Supplemental Security Income? Your Social security claims representative will call you in for a post medical decision interview to review your income and resources. If you are under the yearly income and resource limits you will receive SSI. If not, you will be denied SSI benefits.

Sadly, if you have too many resources or too much income and you are not insured for Social Security disability, you will receive no benefit from either program even if you have been determined to be medically disabled.



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