Rules For Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability is a federal government program designed to provide income to individuals who are physically or mentally unable to work. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must meet certain requirements as set forth by the Social Security Administration. Below are the qualifications as outlined by the SSA:

For disabled worker’s benefits you must have the required work credits and your health problems must:

• Keep you from doing any kind of substantial work, and
• Last, or be expected to last, for at least 12 months in a row, or result in death

For disabled child’s benefits you must be age 18 or older and your health problems must:

• Begin before age 22 or you must become disabled again within 7 years after the month that your earlier period of disability ended, and
• Keep you from doing any kind of substantial work, and
• Last, or be expected to last, for at least 12 months in a row, or result in death

For disabled widow’s, widower’s or surviving divorced spouse’s benefits you must be at least age 50, and your health problems must:

• Keep you from doing any kind of substantial work, and
• Last, or be expected to last, for at least 12 months in a row, or result in death, and have started before the end of a special period.
• The special period starts with the latest of:
  • The month your spouse died, or
  • The month your Social Security benefits as a parent ended, or
  • The month your earlier period of widow(er)’s disability ended.
• The special period ends at the close of the 84th month after the month it started.