Arizona Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Lawyer

SSDI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have worked and paid their Social Security taxes.

To qualify for SSDI, you need to meet specific requirements:

• You must be insured. This means you have worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes to be covered by the program.
• You must have a disability that meets Social Security’s strict standards. The disability determination process examines five key factors to assess whether your condition qualifies.

If you meet both of these criteria, you may receive SSDI benefits. The money you get each month depends on your past earnings and Social Security tax contributions – the more you’ve worked and paid into the system, the higher your SSDI benefits will be.

After receiving SSDI for two years, you’ll automatically qualify for Medicare health coverage. SSDI also has special rules and incentives that mean you can try working again without immediately losing your benefits, providing important support as you return to the workforce.

The SSA administers two distinct benefit programs to support eligible people.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI benefits disabled people between 18 and 65 years old who have worked and contributed to Social Security. SSDI payments rely on the recipient’s age and work history, with higher earners usually getting larger monthly benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a needs-based program that pays disabled, blind, or elderly people with limited financial resources. Eligibility for SSI does not depend on work history but does depend on proving financial need.

Common SSI recipients include seniors who did not earn enough work credits for SSDI and disabled individuals who did not qualify based on their own or a family member’s work record.

Understanding the key differences between these two SSA benefit programs can help you determine which best suits your unique situation and financial needs.

It is important to understand the differences between SSDI and the separate Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. While both benefit people with disabilities, the eligibility requirements are quite different. Some people might qualify for both SSDI and SSI concurrently.

If you’re unsure which Social Security disability benefits you may be eligible for, you can open a free My Social Security account or request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from your local Social Security office. This can help clarify your specific situation and options. Contact a lawyer to help you, too.