Are You Insured for Disability and for How Much? Check Your Social Security Statement
If you have a medical condition that has become disabling and you want to apply for Social Security disability benefits, no matter how disabled you are, you won’t be eligible if you haven’t paid recently enough into Social Security. How do you know if you have enough work credits to qualify you for disability benefits?
Where to Find the Answer
The answer can be easily found on your Social Security Statement (See Example SSA Statement). This is a record of your earnings throughout your lifetime. It provides everything you need to know about whether or not you are eligible for disability benefits based on your work history.
Look for the answer on page 2 of your statement under “Your Estimated Benefits.” In the category “Disability” it will state whether or not you have earned enough work credits to qualify for disability benefits. You can also find out how much you could get in benefits, which is calculated from your earnings and contributions over the years. The average monthly benefit is about $1,100. See the example below showing someone who has earned enough credits to qualify and would be due about $1,442 a month…
Keep Your Statements
The Social Security Administration mails out statements to workers and former workers every year. It is not a piece of mail to ignore or throw away, and yet so many people don’t realize how important it is to keep their Social Security statements on file. In fact, we turn away at least 20 percent of the people who call in for eligibility information because they didn’t know about this technical requirement.
Before you consider applying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, check your Social Security statement. We can’t help you win disability benefits if you haven’t worked long enough or recently enough to be insured for Social Security. There’s just no way to get around it.
If you do not have your most recent Social Security Statement you can send an online request for it through Social Security’s Web site at www.ssa.gov or contact your local Social Security office.
Get Help with Freedom Disability
If you do qualify for disability benefits based on your work history, then your next step is to get the help of a Freedom Disability Advocate to help you prove that your medical condition meets SSA’s definition of disability. Please read our article “Can You Medically Support Your Disability Claim?” to better understand what medical information SSA will expect from you.
Long time ago I claim disability and was dinied, problem on my back, and one of arms pain., but was dinied two times, I will appreciate if you may do some thing for me., at this momente at my 76 years old I’m receiving only 560.00 each month, could you belive but I have to survive, abyway.
i applied for benfits about 8 years ago i went back to work i only worked 5 years and now my copd and heart is really bad and i have no energy can you help me get benafits
Nancy,
We can try. First, pleaes call in to talk to one of our Eligiblity Consultants at 866-347-2910 so that we can assess your case and give you more info on your options.
would like to know if i can get ssi or ssdi?
Kitty,
Please call us toll free at 1-866-347-2910 so that we can evaluate your case to determine if we can help you at this time. You can also submit the online form on this page if this is more convenient for you so that we can contact you.
I am currently trying to get my benefit so I am not sure what to do.
Ian,
If you’re trying to get Social Security disability benefits you may need our help. Best step is to call 866-347-2910 to talk to an Eligibility Consultant.
I am trying to figure this out for my husband who became disabled in 2010. He hasnt worked since the end of 2009. I don’t think either one of us ever recieved an earnings statement. Based on memory…this is a guess- stimate of his sketchy earnings -
Birth year 1975-
1997 $3,000 1998 $7,000 1999 $5,000 2000 ?
2001 $5,000 2002 $7,000 2003 $13,000 2004 $13,000
2005 $13,000 2006 ? 2007 $7,000 2008 $3,000
2009 $4,000
We are trying to decide if he should go ahead apply or has too much time elapsed since he last worked?
Recent work history is only one of the requirements you must have in order to apply for Social Security Disability. It appears your husband does meet the work history requirement and Freedom Disability may be able to assist him. I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. They will ask him a few questions regarding your current health conditions and past work history to determine your eligibility for our assistance. I hope he give us a call at 866-761-5942.Good luck.
I have not worked in several years and have been told my benefits have run out. I have not been actually diagnosed – my doctor just keeps telling me “it’s muscular” but I keep getting worse every year.
What do you suggest?
Heather,
Since your benefits have fun out, I recommend you filing for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are being treated for your condition then Social Security will be able to look at how your condition is affecting your life and whether or not treatment is working. You will need a diagnosis and treatment, so you might need a 2nd opinion. Good luck.
As a non-working spouse am I eligible for social security disability from my husbands work record? Being a diabetic and having neuropathy and some amputations really limits my ability to do even housework. My age is 62. I can’t seem to get an honest answer about my question from anyone. It’s almost as if the subject is taboo or something.
Linda,
Unfortunately, no you are not able to use your husbands work record. I would recommend contacting the Social Security Administration. You might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). I wish you the best of luck.