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Camden County, NJ Disability Lawyers

Every year, millions of Americans receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income to help them live with a disability. These programs are available to all Americans who qualify, but the process of getting assistance from these Federal programs can be confusing and time-consuming. In fact, it is not uncommon for applicants to disability programs to initially have their application denied and then accepted much later. This can be a distressing prospect for individuals who need income or have family or household members who rely on them for financial support.

Our lawyers have experience representing clients who are applying for SSDI and other similar programs. We are here to lend those skills to you, so you can have a good chance of getting the supplemental income you need from the disability program that is the best fit for you.

Call (609) 557-3081 to get a free review of your case with our disability lawyers at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of two Federal programs designed to assist Americans with eligible disabilities. While the programs appear similar, there are some key differences. When you talk to our disability lawyers, we can help to determine which disability program it makes sense for you to apply to.

Social Security Disability Insurance compensates people based on their work history. Many Americans who are disabled receive benefits from SSDI so that they can live fulfilling lives after they can no longer work. To qualify, you need to be under 65 years old, be “totally disabled,” and meet certain work credit requirements. Once you reach retirement age, SSDI benefits will automatically turn into retirement benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance is a competitive program, and many applicants who are rejected on their first application are accepted during a second or even third review of their application.

Supplemental Security Income is another program tailored towards individuals and families depending on their financial needs. SSI is meant to help people who do not have many assets or have no assets at all. The program caters to individuals around retirement age, disabled, or low-income so that they can have their basic needs met.

SSDI Eligibility Requirements in Camden County, NJ

SSDI has extensive eligibility requirements that applicants must meet to get financial support. Most of the requirements inquire as to your particular disability and whether it is eligible. Our lawyers will help you through the application process. However, you should not be discouraged if you are not determined to as eligible for SSDI on your first application. It is fairly common for deserving SSDI applicants to be rejected on their first try, only to be found eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance upon review of their profile or on a subsequent application. Below we will go through some of the important requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility.

Qualifying Disability

One of the most important criteria for obtaining SSDI is making sure that you have a qualifying health condition or injury. There are certain criteria that make a disability qualify for SSDI. First, your disability needs to make it impossible for you to have gainful employment. If you make over a certain income threshold in a year, you cannot obtain SSDI. Additionally, if you can participate in “substantial gainful activity,” you cannot qualify for SSDI. Your job can double as a substantial gainful activity. For “statutorily blind” persons, the qualifying threshold is $2460 in 2023. For persons who are not blind, the 2023 amount is $1470.

Second, your condition must be “severe.” This means that you have not been able to do basic tasks like standing, walking, or recalling information for at least 12 months. Alternatively, your disability can be found on a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify as severe disabilities.

Some disabilities get a “compassionate allowance.” In these cases, an SSDI application is fast-tracked to make sure that applications in dire need of assistance get it as soon as possible. Disabilities and conditions that qualify are compiled on the Social Security Disability Insurance website.

Work History

SSDI requires that you were working for a certain period of time for you to be eligible. There are specific requirements for what are called “work credits” you need to have to be eligible for SSDI. You need 40 credits total to qualify. Moreover, a certain amount of these credits need to be recent in time. The specific number depends on your age when you become disabled. For example, someone younger than 24 qualifies if they have at least six credits in the three years leading up to their disability. If you are between the ages of 24 and 31, you need credit for half of the time between the age of 21 and when your disability began. For people 31 and older, the requirement is 20 credits within ten years preceding disability.

Ability to Keep Working

Another criterion for SSDI is whether you can continue to work while you have your condition. If you can continue to do your prior job with your disability, you cannot qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. You can also not qualify if you are able to work in a different profession, you also cannot qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. Your condition must completely prevent you from working or doing substantial gainful activity.

Special Situations

There are some special circumstances that can qualify people for SSDI. For example, you can qualify if you are blind or have very poor vision. You can also qualify if you are a survivor of a deceased person who would have qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance. The intricacies of recovering benefits for a deceased person are complicated, so you should speak with our lawyers if you feel that it applies to your particular situation.