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More and more people have to face a difficult decision--whether to continue working or whether to file for Social Security Disability benefits. If you consider yourself disabled and you are either not working, working only part time, or you are forcing yourself to go to work; you may want to seriously read the following information. The information should help you decide if you should file for disability benefits. If you are filing for benefits, but were entitled to disability benefits in the past, you may want to file for an expedited reinstatement.
Social Security disability decisions are based on the following:
Social Security's Disability Definition:
Your physical or mental condition has to be so severe that you are unable to work and earn substantial earnings ($980 a month or $1,640 a month for blind workers in 2009) for at least a year or your condition is expected to result in death. Your disability does not have to be a permanent one to be approved, but it does have to be a total disability. Social Security does not recognize partial disabilities.
Disability Work Tests:
You must meet two work tests for Social Security Disability benefits. You must meet both a "recent work test" and a "duration of work test."
If you became disabled in the calendar quarter you became age 31 or later, you meet the "recent work test" if you worked five years out of a 10 year period ending with the quarter your disability began. The amount of work you need to meet the "duration of work test" depends on your age. For example, at age 34 you would need 3 years of work; at age 50 you need 7 years of work and age 60 you need nine and a half years of work.
Requirements for the work tests are substantially easier if you became disabled before age 31.
How Your Disability Claim is Processed:
Social Security will review your disability claim to make sure you meet the work requirements and that you are not earning more than $980 a month (substantial gainful employment). If you pass these tests, your claim will be sent to a State Agency in your state for your actual medical decision.
The State Agency will consider your age, education and past work history when they make a decision to approve or deny your disability claim. They will determine whether your condition is severe enough by reviewing medical reports from your physicians and hospitals and by reviewing the information you have provided about your condition.
They will determine:
The disability process is a slow one. It can take between four and six months before you get a decision on your claim. Social Security can expedite your claim if you have a very serious or terminal illness or you become disabled while on duty in the active military, so make sure you tell Social Security if you have such a condition.
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