What The SSA Needs To Know About Your Past Work Before You Receive Disability

Disability benefits from the Social Security Administration come in two forms: SSDI and SSI.  These programs are similar in that they are both reserved for people with permanent disabilities.

However, there are different income requirements for each program. These are important to know if you’re thinking of applying for disability benefits.

Different work requirements for different programs

SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is a benefit for people who become disabled after working for many years. This program is funded by Social Security taxes, which are automatically deducted from most people’s paychecks.  The amount you receive depends on your work history, but SSDI payments tend to be larger than SSI payments.

SSI is for people who are disabled just like SSDI recipients, but haven’t had the chance to establish a long work history. SSI recipients may have been born with a disability, such as congenital blindness or autism, or they may have become disabled in early adulthood.

In cases where a person has worked but not for very long, the payout from the SSA may include a small SSDI payment, and enough SSI to meet the federal minimum. This person may also receive both Medicaid and Medicare, since they are receiving both disability benefits.

What the SSA needs to know about past work, and why

When you apply for disability, the SSA will need to know certain things about your work. In your application, you’ll need to include your income, type of work, and specific job duties. There are reasons for this.

Your earned income is one reason. Because of the differences between the two programs, the SSA will need to know which program you’re actually eligible for based on how much you paid in Social Security taxes.

Another reason is that work history helps to establish your degree of incapacity. In some cases, you may not qualify for benefits simply because you are unable to work in your field, provided you are able to do other kinds of work. But if you become disabled before getting an education or job-related skills, your options are fewer, and it’s more likely that you’ll be approved for disability benefits.

When you first become disabled, it can be difficult to build a convincing case for yourself. We can help make it easier, and if necessary, we can represent you in court. Call, email, or text us to get started with a free consultation!