How do I Know if I Can Get Disability Benefits?

​If you are having difficulty working and you want to find out if you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, there are a few key factors to consider. Because it can be complicated to determine if you are likely to be eligible for benefits, it is a good idea to talk with a Los Angeles disability benefits attorney to help you conduct an assessment of the likelihood of your claim for benefits being approved. 

​How Do You Know if You'll be Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?

​To determine if you'll be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits:

• Determine if you meet basic eligibility requirements: If you have not worked and paid taxes, you likely have not earned enough work credits to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The specific number of credits required depends upon your age when you become disabled, but the main focus is on total credits earned and recency of credits. If you cannot qualify for SSDI, you may meet eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have a limited household income and few financial resources. 
  
• Determine if your condition is listed in the Blue Book: ​You'll also have to meet the Social Security Administrations' definition of disabled. The SSA has a Blue Book, which is a listing of impairments that can usually qualify you for benefits. If your condition is not listed, it will be harder to qualify but you could still possibly get benefits if you could show the ailment you have is similar in severity to covered conditions. 
  
• Determine if you have the symptoms accompanying that condition: ​If you have a condition listed in the Blue Book, the SSA likely lists particular symptoms you must exhibit for that condition to qualify you for benefits. Find out if you have documented proof in medical records showing you have experienced those particular symptoms. 

A Los Angeles disability benefits attorney can help you to conduct an assessment of your situation so you can determine if you will be eligible for disability benefits or not. Contact an experienced attorney today to find out more about the likelihood that the Social Security Administration would approve your application for monthly disability income.