The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies more than half of applicants’ disability claims. At the same time, some may meet most of the administration’s criteria to receive disability insurance and don’t even know it.
What are some signs that I meet the criteria?
You may hear from some people that you won’t qualify for SSDI because most applications face rejection. However, every person’s situation is different. So, depending on your circumstances, you may meet more of the requirements than you think. Here are some signs that you may be eligible:
- You can’t participate in substantial gainful activity: Substantial gainful activity (SGA) refers to your job and how much it pays you every month. If you can’t work your job anymore and it pays below the monthly threshold set by the SSA, you could qualify for SSDI. In 2022, the SSA threshold for non-blind workers is $1350 per month and $2260 per month for blind workers.
- Your condition leaves you unable to work for 12 months: The SSA typically wants to see that your physical or mental disability will last for more than a year and that your condition is in their disability bluebook. So, if you have a long-term physical or mental condition like cancer, Crohn’s disease, bipolar, post-traumatic stress disorder or Lupus, your chances of getting approval could be much higher.
- You have sufficient work credits: Work credits can play a significant role in getting SSDI benefits. You earn work credits through Social Security taxes that come from your paycheck. The SSA typically establishes the number of credits an individual needs to qualify for benefits, as that number can change yearly. You usually need around 40 credits to qualify. You must also earn 20 of those credits within the last ten years. However, you may need fewer if you’re younger.
- You already have sufficient medical evidence: The SSA rejects many SSDI applicants because they lack adequate medical evidence for their condition. However, if you’re receiving frequent medical care, that can boost your chances of approval, especially if you have thorough medical records, prescription drug receipts, diagnostic reports, x-rays, CT scans and a comprehensive description of all relevant treatments.
Your chances could be higher than you think
Despite the SSA denying more than half of SSDI claims, that doesn’t mean they will reject yours. By taking your medical documents, work history and other evidence into account, you can use these resources in your SSDI application and get approval for the benefits you need.
