Each year, there are a variety of changes to Social Security Disability regulations. You should stay informed about these changes to make sure you can still qualify for benefits or to see if you now qualify for benefits and should think about applying for Social Security Disability.
If you are thinking about applying or have already done so and been rejected, schedule your free, no obligation legal consultation today to find out how our Social Security Disability attorneys in Phoenix from the Dayes Law Firm may be able to help.
Income Thresholds
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program. Only claimants who have minimal assets and income can qualify based on monetary criteria. In 2019, SSI single recipients cannot have countable income more than $771 per month. Couples are limited to $1,157 per month.
Social Security Disability (SSD) recipients are allowed higher income thresholds. This program provides financial benefits to low-income and middle-income workers who have become disabled after earning enough work credits and paying into the system. For non-blind SSD recipients, the income limit is $1,220 per month, which is $40 more than the $1,180 limit in 2018. Blind SSD recipients can have up to $2,040 a month in countable income, up $70 from $1,970 in 2018.
Amount of Benefits
SSI recipients are receiving the largest cost of living adjustment since 2012. An individual recipient of SSI can receive up to $771 in benefits each month, up from $750 per month in 2018. A couple can receive up to $1,157 per month in SSI benefits, up from $1,125 in 2018.
The average Social Security Disability benefit is $1,234, up from $1,200 in 2018.
Work Credit Earnings Number
The amount of earnings it takes to accrue one Social Security work credit has increased from $1,320 in 2018 to $1,360 in 2019.
The Social Security Administration determines if a person qualifies for SSDI based on the number of work credits he or she has accumulated. The number of work credits you must earn to qualify depends on your age:
- Workers age 62 and older must have accumulated 40 work credits.
- Workers disabled after age 42 must have accumulated 20 or more work credits – as you age, the number of worker credits you need increases by two for every two years. The number of years of work you must have also increases. For example, you need 26 credits with at least 6.6 years of work at age 48. This increases to 28 and seven years of work at age 50.
- Workers over age 31 must have accumulated at least 20 work credits within the last 15 years.
- Workers under age 24 may qualify if they have six work credits they earned in the three years leading up to their disability.
Workers between the ages of 24 and 30 must have worked for half of the time between age 21 and the beginning of their disability. The work credit requirements do not apply to blind claimants.
Contact an Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer for Assistance
If you would like more information about these changes and how they may impact your Social Security Disability claim, the experienced legal professionals at the Dayes Law Firm can help. We assist claimants with their initial application and all stages of the appeals process. We can analyze your claim and determine whether you might be eligible for disability benefits based on current circumstances. We can also discuss continued eligibility for benefits.
We charge no upfront fees and work on a contingency fee, so there is no risk to find out about your rights and options.
Contact our firm right now by calling 1-800-503-2000.