Hawaii Disability Qualifications
Understanding Social Security’s Disability Requirements
You know you can’t work because of your health – but that doesn’t guarantee approval of your Social Security Disability claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a large government agency that uses a complex system to determine if you deserve benefits. You’ll only qualify for benefits if you meet the SSA’s strict definition of “disabled.”
Let our Social Security Disability attorneys help you figure out if you qualify for disability benefits. Contact our Honolulu office to discuss your disability case.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability
There are two types of Social Security benefits: SSDI and SSI.
SSDI
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to you if you meet three criteria:
- You’re disabled,
- As of the date you became disabled, you must have worked under Social Security at least five of the last 10 years, and
- You have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes.
SSI
Supplement Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to you if you meet certain criteria:
- You are disabled, and
- You meet the financial qualifications (you don’t have too much income or too many assets).
Meeting the Definition of “Disabled”
Under the Social Security Administration’s rules, you’re only considered disabled if a physical or mental condition is expected to keep you from work for one full year (or result in death). Your disability can be mental, physical, or a combination of both.
Common impairments:
- Autism
- Cancer
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Congestive heart failure
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Hepatitis C & liver disease
- Lung impairments
- Mental illness
- Muscular dystrophy
- Musculoskeletal diseases
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seizures
- Strokes
If you’re unable to work, it’s important that you keep regular medical appointments with your doctors and/or specialists to create enough medical evidence to help prove your case to Social Security.
In most cases, Social Security considers you disabled if:
You can no longer do work you’ve done before;
You’re unable to adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
Your disability has lasted or will last 12 months (or result in death).
Contact our Honolulu office for help with your Social Security Disability case. Call us today for a FREE case evaluation.
If you’re unable to work, it’s important that you keep regular medical appointments with your doctors and/or specialists to create enough medical evidence to help prove your case to Social Security.
In most cases, Social Security considers you disabled if:
- You can no longer do work you’ve done before;
- You’re unable to adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
- Your disability has lasted or will last 12 months (or result in death).
Contact our Honolulu office for help with your Social Security Disability case. Call us today for a FREE case evaluation.
Get your free evaluation from our Social Security Disability attorney.
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