Obtaining Social Security Disability is possible with good help

Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are meant to be there for the people who need them. If you’re hurt and unable to work for a long period of time, you may qualify for these benefits depending on your work history.

To obtain Social Security Disability benefits, you’ll need to meet the requirements of two different earnings tests. The first test finds out how long you worked and paid into Social Security. The second looks at your age and when you became disabled along with your current work history.

Your age matters, because it determines how long you must have worked before you can obtain disability benefits. For example, if you’re 23, you’ll need at least 1.5 years of work experience in the three years before your disability began. Comparatively, if you are 31, you’ll need to have worked five of the last 10 years before your disability began.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a chart that states, generally speaking, how long you must have worked to be eligible for disability benefits. For someone who is 60, it’s normal to need 9.5 years of work experience. For someone who is 42, that requirement is only five years in most cases.

Applying for and getting approved for SSD has its challenges. For that reason, many people choose to work with someone who can fight for them if they receive a denial. Our website has more information on what you can do if you’re ready to apply for SSD and how you should approach your application for the best chance of success.