Do you meet Social Security Disability eligibility requirements?

There may be many reasons why you receive a denial of your Social Security Disability claim. The Social Security Administration imposes strict eligibility requirements for SSD benefits.

If the Social Security Administration does not agree that you meet the requirements, you may receive a denial of your claim.

Disability

To qualify for SSD benefits, you need more than for your doctor to determine that you have a disability. You also need to meet the criteria that the Social Security Administration applies. For the most part, these are condition-specific. General requirements include a condition that is chronic. Your condition may qualify if the expectation is that it will last more than a year or has done so already.

Work History

According to U.S. News and World Report, you need to have earned sufficient work credits through the Social Security system to qualify for SSD benefits. You earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. For each year you work, you earn a maximum of four credits. You need 40 credits to be eligible for SSD benefits.

It also matters when you earned the credits. For example, even if you have the required number, you may not qualify for SSD benefits if you have been out of the workforce for a while. The Social Security Administration requires that you must have earned at least half of your 40 credits within the last 10 years.

Knowing about the eligibility requirements for SSD benefits helps you identify and collect evidence to show that you meet them. This can help during the appeals process. Most applicants receive a denial upon first submitting their claims, so do not give up immediately.