American citizens and permanent residents in Virginia that can’t work because of a disability should know how to apply for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits. SSDI benefits are invaluable for those who qualify, providing them with enough money to cover their monthly basic needs.
Understanding SSDI and how it works
The SSDI is a government-sponsored program that provides financial assistance to disabled citizens who are unable to work. People who qualify usually get a monthly check delivered for several years or until they can return to work. If the disability is severe, the monthly payments are permanent.
Qualifying for SSDI in Virginia
To qualify for this benefit, you must have worked in jobs that pay Social Security taxes to earn the privileges to benefit from the social security funds. Government-related jobs typically do not pay social security taxes. The amount of time depends on your age when you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at 22 years old, you only need to have worked and paid taxes for one-and-a-half years. However, if you become disabled at 62, you must have worked and paid taxes for at least ten years.
You can’t make more than $841 gross monthly income before your social security checks. If your earnings are higher, the SSA will assume that you can work and don’t need disability benefits.
In addition, the Social Security Administration must establish that your disability will last at least a year or result in death. The SSA will also consider whether you can do the work you did before and if there’s any other type of work you can do, given your condition.
If you think you might qualify for SSDI benefits but aren’t sure, the best way to find out is to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and set up an appointment. The SSA will review your case and decide whether you’re eligible for benefits.
If your application is approved, your SSDI benefits will usually begin six months after the date the SSA finds you disabled. In some cases, however, you may get retroactive payments for up to one year from when your disability began.