If a serious injury, illness, or chronic condition has left you unable to work, you may be considering applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But what is SSDI?
SSDI is a program that provides financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. It’s something you’ve paid into through your payroll taxes while you were working. So, when life changes unexpectedly, SSDI may be the safety net that helps you get back on your feet.
However, the process of applying for SSDI can be confusing and time-consuming. Between gathering medical records, understanding eligibility requirements, and handling paperwork, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Whether you’re just starting to research your options or you’ve already applied and hit a roadblock, the experienced Richmond SSDI lawyers at Hunter | Everage are here to help you make sense of your options, fight for the benefits you deserve, and support you every step of the way.
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance and Who Does It Help?
SSDI is a program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that pays benefits to people who have a qualifying medical condition that prevents them from working full-time.
SSDI helps a wide range of individuals from all walks of life. However, the program primarily helps adults between the ages of 18 and 65 who have worked and contributed enough in payroll taxes to qualify.
So, whether you’ve been diagnosed with a long-term illness, suffered a life-changing injury, or developed a chronic condition that makes it impossible to maintain a full-time job, SSDI is designed to offer support when you need it most.
How SSDI Differs from Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSDI is a benefit you earn by working and paying Social Security taxes. If you’ve spent years in the workforce and can no longer work due to a medical condition, SSDI may provide monthly income to help you stay financially afloat.
SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based program. It’s designed to help individuals who are disabled, blind, or over the age of 65 and have very limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, you don’t need a work history to qualify for SSI; instead, you must meet strict financial requirements.
How Work History and Taxes Paid Affect Eligibility
The SSA looks at your work history to determine if you qualify. Specifically, they look at something called “work credits.”
Every paycheck you’ve earned included deductions that went directly into Social Security. Over time, these contributions build up “work credits,” which determine your eligibility for SSDI.
You’ll need at least 40 work credits to qualify. It’s important to note that 20 of these credits must have been earned within the last 10 years before your disability began. So, if you’ve worked steadily for several years, there’s a good chance you’ve built up the credits you need.
The SSA scales the requirement so that someone who’s 30 might only need 20 credits to qualify. This sliding scale ensures that younger workers aren’t shut out simply because they haven’t had enough time to rack up decades of employment.
What Medical Conditions Can Qualify You for SSDI?
Not every medical condition qualifies for SSDI. The SSA has a “Blue Book” that lists impairments considered severe enough to prevent someone from working. Here are some of the more common types of conditions that may make someone eligible for SSDI:
- Musculoskeletal Disorders: Chronic back pain, arthritis, joint problems, or severe injuries that limit movement or mobility.
- Neurological Conditions: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, and other disorders affecting the brain or nervous system.
- Mental Health Disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions can qualify if they seriously impact your ability to function day to day.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Heart disease, chronic heart failure, and other serious heart conditions that prevent strenuous activity or even basic physical tasks.
- Respiratory Illnesses: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, or other breathing disorders can qualify if they severely reduce your capacity to breathe or move.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions that can cause fatigue, pain, and organ damage.
- Cancer: Some cancers qualify automatically, particularly if they are aggressive or advanced. Others may qualify depending on how they affect your ability to work and respond to treatment.
There are also more “invisible disabilities” that may qualify. You can see these in our List of Invisible Disabilities Covered by SSDI.
How to Apply for SSDI and What to Expect
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to apply for SSDI and what you can expect along the way:
Contact a Disability Attorney
SSDI rules are complex, and you need someone in your corner who knows how to navigate them. A disability attorney can help you gather the right evidence, meet critical deadlines, and improve your chances of approval.
Gather Your Medical and Work Records
Before you fill out the forms, start collecting everything you have: Medical records, imaging reports, lab results, treatment notes from your doctors, and a list of medications you’ve tried (and how you responded). You’ll also need a detailed work history, including the names and addresses of employers over the past 15 years, and your tax returns to show you’ve paid into the system.
Choose Your Application Method
You can apply online at the SSA’s website, by phone, by calling your local SSA office, or in person by visiting the SSA office closest to you.
Submit Your Application
After you file, you’ll receive a letter confirming your application and giving you a case number.
The SSA must review your application and supporting documents, which can take between three to six months (sometimes longer, depending on their workload and whether they need more information).
Review Stage
Once your application is fully reviewed, you’ll get a formal decision letter. If you’re approved, you’ll see back pay for the months you’ve been waiting and a schedule outlining your ongoing benefits.
If you’re denied, you have the right to appeal. Over 60% of initial SSDI applications are turned down, often for technical reasons rather than because someone isn’t truly disabled.
The appeal process has several levels (reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and Federal Court review), but many people win their benefits once they’re given a chance to present their case in person.
Contact an Experienced Richmond SSDI Lawyer
If you’ve already applied and been denied, don’t be discouraged. Most people are denied the first time around. We’ve helped clients in Richmond get the SSDI benefits they’ve earned.
Whether you’re just starting your application or have already been denied, our team at Hunter | Everage will fight for your rights and ensure your voice is heard. Contact us at 704-377-9157 to request a consultation.