If you have a medical condition that makes it impossible for you to work, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Disability benefits provide money that you can use to pay for living and medical expenses if you can’t work. There are two types of disability benefits: SSI and Social Security disability benefits. You can apply for both SSI and SSDI, but they do have different requirements.
Understanding SSI
SSI is a type of disability benefit that is awarded to children who have an extreme illness or to adults who have been disabled all their lives and never worked. When children who have a serious illness turn 18, they become eligible for SSI. There is no work requirement for SSI. However, there are income limits and asset limits that apply to anyone who applies for SSI. You don’t need to have worked or earned work credits to qualify for SSI.
Understanding SSDI
Social Security disability benefits are similar to SSI but in order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits you must have worked and earned work credits. Anyone who has worked and earned work credits can apply for Social Security disability benefits as long as they expect that they won’t be able to work for at least a year. There are no limits set on SSDI the way there are on SSI.
How Do I Apply For Both SSDI And SSI
The Social Security Administration has similar procedures for applying for both SSI and Social Security disability benefits. To qualify for either type of benefit you will need extensive medical documentation of your condition. And you must have been diagnosed with a medical condition that is recognized by the SSA.
All the conditions that are eligible for disability benefits are listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. Each Blue Book listing has a list of requirements that you must meet in order to be approved for disability benefits through that listing. You can search through the Blue Book on the SSA’s website to see if the disability that you have is listed there. And you can find out what the requirements for qualifying for disability benefits with that condition are.
When you apply for disability benefits you must include medical documentation that shows how your condition meets the Blue Book requirements. If your condition isn’t listed in the Blue Book or if you don’t meet the listing requirements, you can submit and RFC with your application to help prove why you can’t work.
You can apply for both SSI and SSDI by making an appointment at your local SSA office and applying in person. You can also apply online through the SSA’s website.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Before you submit your application for SSI and SSDI it’s a good idea to speak with a disability attorney. A disability attorney can help you make sure that your application is complete. And they can help you make sure you have included enough medical documentation to show that you meet the requirements. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation now to speak with an experienced Social Security disability attorney near you.
