Rules for Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance is designed to protect workers if they become disabled and incapable of performing their job duties. The U.S. Social Security Administration determines the rules and eligibility requirements for American workers who are permanently unable to work because of a disability.
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Definition
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According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, people are considered disabled and possibly eligible for disability benefits if they "cannot do the work they did before," if the disability is expected to "last at least a year or result in death," and if the administration determines that the insured "cannot adjust to other work because of the medical condition."
Benefit Eligibility
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Individuals may be eligible for disability benefits if they "have worked in jobs covered by Social Security." Workers pay Social Security taxes throughout their employment career. Once retirement age is reached, the worker is eligible to begin receiving benefits based on the number of years he paid into the pool. If a worker becomes disabled before retirement age, in some cases he can receive disability benefits until he can return to work.
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Other Benefits
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Family members of disabled workers also may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Spouses, ex-spouses and dependent children can obtain benefits up to certain limits. According to the Social Security Administration, eligible family members can obtain "up to 50 percent of your disability rate."
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References
- Photo Credit disabled retrieval arm. image by mdb from Fotolia.com
