My daughter hasn't ever been able to work since she has been disabled from birth by cerebral palsy. Can she get disability benefits from Social Security?
Possibly. If the child is less than 18 and you've got limited income and resources, the child may be able to be eligible for SSI disability benefits. If the child is above eighteen, she may be able to be eligible for SSI disability benefits without regard to the earnings of her parents. If either of her parents is drawing Social Security benefits of some kind or is deceased, and the child's disability started before age 22, the child may be eligible for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits.
I used to work, but lately I've been staying home taking care of the kids. I recently became sick. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?
Potentially. If you worked five out of the last ten years before being disabled, you may have enough earnings to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. For people 31 or less, the requirements are a bit different, since such individuals have not had such a long time to work. Unless an individual has been staying home and taking care of their kids for quite a long time, it is very possible that they'll be eligible for Social Security disability benefits based upon their own earnings. A homemaker, depending on their financial situation, may be able to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) whether or not they have worked previously.
If you have got very restricted income and resources, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you're disabled, even if you haven't worked previously. It is also possible to qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits on a parent's work history if you became disabled prior to age 22, or for disabled widow’s or widower’s benefits on the work history of a late wife or husband.
I am a widow. I've not worked in years, but I'm disabled. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?
If you're over 50 and became disabled within seven years after your husband or wife passed away or within seven years after you last drew mother's or father's benefits from Social Security, you can get disabled widow’s or widower’s benefits. If you are age sixty-five or older, or have a disability, and not a lot of income and resources, you might be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits.
I got hurt on the job and I’m drawing worker's compensation benefits. Can I get both worker's compensation and Social Security disability benefits?
Indeed, you can get both simultaneously. Nevertheless, either your worker’s compensation or your Social Security disability benefits will be decreased to compensate for the dual enrollment. You don't have to wait until the worker's compensation ends. It is best to file the Social Security disability claim as quickly as possible because otherwise there may be a gap between the time the worker's compensation ends and the Social Security disability benefits begin.
I am still on sick leave from my employer. Can I file for Social Security disability now or have I got to hold off until the sick leave is exhausted?
No, you don't have to wait until the sick leave is exhausted. You should file for Social Security disability benefits now, if you feel that you will be out of work for a year or more.
If you reside in Edwardsville, IL, or St. Louis, St. Charles, or Chesterfield, MO and have questions about SSDI, schedule an appointment with Kassin and Carrow today.
