Non-Medical Reasons You Might Be Denied SSDI Benefits
Although you may experience serious medical problems that impact your ability to work, there are non-medical reasons that can prevent you from receiving social security disability benefits. Below are some of the non-medical issues that can impact your right to disability benefits that Citizens Disability can help you navigate.
You Are Working
If you continue to work, or start working again, you could be denied for social security disability benefits like SSDI & SSI even if you have severe medical problems. Disability judges must determine whether you are earning what is called “substantial gainful activity” or “SGA.” If you never stopped working, or you having been earning an income at the SGA level, a judge may have no choice but to deny your claim. Usually someone is determined to be earning “SGA” if they make at least $1,220 per month before taxes for sighted people, and $2,040 per month before taxes for people who are blind (as of January, 2019). There are exceptions to this rule though, so please speak with one of our disability benefit specialists to see if your monthly earnings, no matter how large or small, will impact your ability to receive social security disability benefits.
You Were Out of Work for Less Than One Year
If you are no longer working due to your medical conditions, you may be eligible for disability benefits (SSDI & SSI). However, disability is only for those conditions that are expected to last at least twelve months, or may result in death. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is not for conditions that only temporarily keep you out of work. If you have been out of work for fewer than twelve months, but you do not expect you will be able to work at all for a least one year, you can still be eligible to apply for and receive social security disability benefits.
You Are Not “Insured” under Social Security
As discussed above, if you are out of work due to your medical conditions, and your conditions will last for at least a year, you might be eligible for disability benefits like SSDI & SSI. You must, however, be insured through Social Security. Workers become insured by contributing to the Social Security fund. You may have noticed on paychecks throughout your life that you contributed to “FICA.” This stands for “Federal Insurance Contributions Act” tax. These funds ultimately help pay for social security benefits to retirees and disabled workers.
However, you are only insured for so many years after you stop contributing to the fund. Therefore, if you have not worked in many years, or did not contribute to Social Security when you did work, you may not be insured. Whether you are insured is a technical question that can be confusing. You can contact your local Social Security Office to confirm your insured status and for how long you will remain insured.
About Citizens Disability, LLC:
Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America’s premier Social Security Disability institution. Our services include helping people in applying for SSDI benefits, managing the process through Reconsideration, and representing people in person at their Hearing, and if necessary, bringing their case to the Appeals Council. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. Learn more about us and disability benefits like SSDI & SSI or give us a call (781)926-3489.
Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America’s premier Social Security Disability advocate. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. We have helped tens of thousands of individuals with their SSDI claims. Your success is our mission.
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