Helping The Disabled And Injured In
Missouri Get The Support They Deserve

Even young workers may end up needing SSD benefits

On Behalf of | Jun 28, 2018 | Social Security Disability

When young adults enter the workforce, they anticipate building a successful career until it is time to retire. However, for some people in Missouri, this dream is cut short when they suffer an injury or illness so severe that it prevents them from working, perhaps forever. When this happens, a person might want to explore the possibility of seeking Social Security Disability benefits.

There are certain requirements that must be met for a person to qualify for SSD benefits. First, they must have been working for at least five of the past 10 years. Also, they cannot be as old as the full retirement age, which is 65-67. In addition, their injury or illness must last a minimum of 12 months or be projected to be fatal. Finally, the Social Security Administration must deem the injury or illness severe enough that the person is entitled to SSD benefits.

Having an application for SSD benefits approved can take a long time and can be very complex. However, the Social Security Administration has a list of 225 medical conditions that are so severe that they can be expedited through the “compassionate allowances” program. Nevertheless, one can anticipate that their initial application for SSD benefits may be denied. However, that is not the end of the story. There is an appeals process for those whose applications were denied, although the process could, unfortunately, take years.

Once a person is finally approved for benefits, the amount of benefits they will receive depends on how much they paid into the Social Security system while working through their Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes and how long the person has been working for. Finally, the SSA will periodically review a person’s eligibility for SSD benefits. Once approved, a person who is unable to work to earn a living will have the financial support needed to make ends meet.

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