PA Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program of the federal government designed to help workers who are unable to return to work due to illness or injury. Individuals who qualify for SSDI receive a monthly payment based upon the amount of income they earned when they were able to work. Individuals may also receive a yearly cost of living adjustment depending on how long they collect their SSDI benefits. If someone is permanently disabled, they may collect Social Security Disability Insurance benefits until age 65. At that time, the SSDI benefits will convert to a Social Security Retirement benefit. Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are also available for spouses, children and widowed individuals.

How Can I Become Eligible for SSDI?

To be eligible to receive Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you must have earned wages and paid into the Social Security system in at least 20 of the last 40 quarters. You also have to be considered disabled, meaning that you must have one or more medical impairments that have lasted, or are expected to last, at least 12 months. You must not be able to engage in substantial gainful employment. If there is an available job that you qualify for in your area, you are not entitled to SSDI benefits.

Do Family Members Qualify?

PA Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are available for family members under certain circumstances.

Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits are available for individuals who are at least 50 years old and become disabled within a certain amount of time after the death of a spouse who worked under Social Security.

There are also benefits available for children and adult children. To qualify, the child must be unmarried and younger than 18. If the child is 18-19 and still in school they also qualify. A child may also qualify if they are 18 and older and suffer from a disability that happened before age 22. The child must have a parent who is disabled, retired and entitled to SSDI benefits, or a parent who died after having worked in a job for a certain length of time where they get paid Social Security taxes.

What if I am Denied SSDI?

When filing for SSDI benefits, it is in your best interests to have an experienced PA Social Security Disability lawyer help file your claim. SSDI claims can be time consuming and if the paperwork is not handled correctly, you can be denied benefits. An experienced Pennsylvania SSDI attorney will work hard to make the process as painless as possible.

If you are denied Social Security Disability Insurance benefits you may request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. The Administrative Law Judge will hear testimony from you and review your medical records. The Administrative Law Judge may also hear medical evidence or vocational evidence presented by the Social Security Administration in opposition to your claim. If you must request a hearing in order to get your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you should seek the advice and counsel of a PA Social Security Disability attorney.

Contact the PA Social Security Disability lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright with your questions about SSDI. We have served the Pennsylvania area for over 40 years and we have substantial experience and expertise in dealing with SSDI claims. We can be reached for a free consultation by calling 1-800-318-LAW1 or online through our contact form.