An Overview of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is a program that allows those who have become injured/disabled before their retirement is reached to be granted monthly benefits. To be eligible for this, you must have worked a certain number of years while paying into social security. 

That said, being paid “under the table” will not benefit your chances of being approved at all. You need to have a certain number of work credits to be eligible for this and the maximum you can earn is 4 per year.  Work credits vary per person because it is dependent on when you became disabled. 

You also need to have worked 5 out of the last 10 years. Your disability also needs to be on the SSA’s list of disabilities/impairments. These are all long term conditions that are disabling and are very severe. Long term and severe are defined as lasting at least a full year while also conflicting with you regular workday activities you would be performing. 

Once you are able to prove your disability, your payments do not begin immediately. SSDI has a five month wait for benefits to become active. Once that time period is up, each month you will receive a check for your disability benefits but one thing to keep in mind is that if your household income is too high, this will force you to pay taxes on your benefits! If things go south and you are to be initially denied, do not worry! 

You can appeal your denied claim within a 60 day window of your denial notice. This is called a “Request for Reconsideration” and if you are to be denied once again and appeal that, you will “Request A Hearing” with a judge.

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