Which Social Security Benefits Are You Eligible For?

05/04/09

Do you qualify for social security benefits? The eligibility requirements are complex, and determining whether you qualify can be intensely frustrating. These frequently asked questions will clarify which disability benefits you are eligible for, and how far your benefits will stretch.

Is it possible to get partial disability through SSA?

No, you cannot qualify for disability benefits through Social Security if your disability is partial or short term. Social security benefits are available only to applicants who are completely disabled and whose disability is considered likely to last at least a year. (Note that if you qualify for disability benefits, you may hold down a job as long as your maximum possible income is beneath a level determined by SSA.)

I cannot work as long as before or at the same skill level, so although I still have a job, my income has dropped. Am I still eligible for social security benefits?

Yes, if your income is lower than a certain SSA determined level, you are eligible to file for disability benefits. Social Security changes the maximum income level yearly. You can find the current limit in the official SSA web site or in official SSA booklets.

However, be aware that your earnings in your current job are not the only earnings the state agency will take into account. If you can move to another line of work and in so doing raise your income above the approved level, you will not be considered eligible for disability benefits. The state agency will take into account your medical condition, education, skills, work experience, and age when determining whether you could move to another job, so you will not be required to do work that you are not well enough to do or that you have not been trained to do.

According to my doctors, there are no effective treatments for my condition, so why do I have to continue to make office visits?

When you first file for social security benefits, the state agency that manages your case will need a complete evaluation of your health, a process that may require repeated doctors' visits. Your regular doctors may not be able to perform necessary tests or have equipment that is necessary to evaluate you, so you may need to visit another doctor to complete the evaluation. In that case, the state agency may arrange for you to be examined by another doctor.

Once you are determined to be disabled, you will need regular examinations to determine the progress of your medical condition. Because not all disabling medical conditions are permanent, your health may improve enough for you to work even without active medical care.