How Social Security takes care of your disability

You’ve paid into the system for years, with that Social Security withheld on each check. Most often understood as retirement money, it can actually benefit you a lot sooner as well. By paying in, perhaps without realizing it, you’ve secured yourself disability insurance.

Every quarter that you earn $1,200 and have Social Security withheld from your check, you essentially earn yourself one quarter of coverage. Coverage builds up over your years of work, laying the foundation for Social Security disability insurance. If you become disabled through injury or illness by no fault of your own, and that injury has lasted or will last for more than 12 months, you are eligible for benefits.

But the question now, is, when to file? It’s more than the general eligibility requirements: it’s about realizing/admitting that you are – to some degree – disabled. It’s about knowing that your condition warrants the claim.

But first, those general eligibility requirements are important, and fairly simple:

• Over the age of 30
• Worked 20 out of the last 40 quarters (five of the last 10 years)
• You automatically gain “insured status”
• You keep it until you stop working and for five years after
• You can immediately apply if your medical condition will keep you from working for more than 12 months (you don’t have to wait until you’ve missed work for the full 12 months)

But now, how do you know if you have a disability? The list below isn’t comprehensive by any means, but it’s a good place to start.

Physical injuries
Injuries to the spine, neck, and back can seriously hinder a victim’s ability to work and lead a normal life.

Physical disorders
Physical disorders not caused by spontaneous injury, may be genetic.

Diseases
Cancer, inherited conditions, and other disabling diseases.

Mental disorders
Bipolar, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other hindering mental illnesses.

Other impairments
Blindness or deafness not caused by disease. Any impairments not falling into the above categories.

But here’s the key: you’ve earned this. You’ve paid into the system, and the system is there for you. It’s insurance to get you back on your feet.