GETTING SSDI: MEDICAL & NON-MEDICAL RULES

When you apply to receive a Social Security disability benefit (SSDI), you must meet both the medical and non-medical rules.

THE MEDICAL RULES. You must prove that you are totally unable to perform either previous work or any other full-time work which exists in the national economy. Social Security will require objective medical data from your doctor(s) to prove this.

THE NON-MEDICAL EVIDENCE. You must show that you are a US citizen or legal resident. You must show that you are not currently working at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). Most importantly, you will need to have the required number of work credits associated with your Social Security account. Generally, a claimant must have worked at least 5 years out of the most recent 10-year period to be covered.

Work credits earned more than 5 years ago may have expired, leaving you uninsured for Social Security disability benefits.

One of the services provided by disability attorneys is a review of your case to see if you meet the rules to get a benefit. Most attorneys/advocates perform this review free of any cost or obligation.