Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Understanding What Social Security and Social Security Disability Is

The Social Security Act of 1935, then known as the Economic Security Act, was created to help prevent the old from becoming destitute after retirement. Over the years, programs to help the disabled and the dependents of deceased workers have also been added. The program to help those who are unable to work due to a physical or mental illness is known as Social Security disability. While Social Security retirement is rather straightforward to qualify for, being based upon lifetime earnings and retirement age, Social Security disability requires multiple qualifications and the documents to prove them. As a result, people who are applying for Social Security disability may benefit from the help of an attorney specializing in the process, such as those found at Robert K. Kolber, Inc.

How Social Security Works

Each individual citizen within the United States is given a Social Security number. This number is unique to the individual, and helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) keep track of who pays what into the system, and who receives what from the system. As a person works, a percentage of their earnings are put towards the Social Security system, known as Social Security taxes. This money is then used to provide income and other benefits to those who are retired, disabled, or are surviving dependents of a deceased worker.

Social Security Disability


Social Security disability provides benefits to those who are physically or mentally unable to work. The person must not make over a certain amount of income a month, and must meet the medical requirements dictated by the system. Social Security law states that this applies to individuals that are “unable to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a certain period of at least 12 months.” The individual applying for Social Security disability must have the medical records and statements available to prove that these conditions exist in their specific situation. Some of the common situations that this encompasses are back injuries, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions; heat disease and other circulatory conditions; intellectual disabilities and other mental disorders; respiratory conditions; life-threatening conditions such as cancer; and more. If you are unsure as to whether or not your specific situation makes you eligible for receiving Social Security disability benefits, you may wish to contact an attorney specializing in Social Security cases, such as those at RobertK. Kolber, Inc

No comments:

Post a Comment