Applying For Social Security Disability Insurance At A Young Age: What To Know
According to the Disability Insurance Learning Center, only about a third of those who apply for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) will actually be approved for their benefits once they apply. If you are younger than most and plan to apply for SSDI, it is definitely best if you work with a Social Security lawyer throughout the process. Younger people can have a harder time obtaining their benefits because the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be even more skeptical of you as an applicant. Take a look at some of the things you should know as a younger adult who is filing for SSDI.
Your age alone can make it more difficult to get SSDI.
Being younger can make it far more difficult to get SSDI. For one, many health conditions can render you unable to do only certain functions but still fully capable of doing something else. Secondly, it is rare for a younger person to be so severely disabled that they will never heal from their condition or find a treatment option that could allow you to go back to work.
You must have a condition that meets the SSA's standards for a disability.
If you plan to file for SSDI, it is a must that you know you have a medical condition or physical ailment that the SSA actually recognizes as a disability. Some conditions can be tricky. For example, if you are filing for SSDI because you have a musculoskeletal issue, it may not immediately mean you are disabled because there may be jobs you can do that do not involve the use of the injured part of your body. This is especially true if you are young because the SSA will expect that you are still competent enough to learn new skills to put to use in the job force.
Your SSDI benefits may not be as much as they would be if you were older.
SSDI benefits come partially from the money that you pay in from your paycheck. Because you are young and have not worked as many years, you will not have as much money paid to the SSA. Therefore, your benefits will probably not be as much as someone who is older. Many applicants are surprised to see how little their benefit amount is once they do finally get approved. Your attorney can help you understand how much you will draw if you do get approved.
To learn more, contact your local social security disability insurance services.