Documenting Work History Important When Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

Historically, about three in 10 applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are denied for technical (or nonmedical reasons). The most common technical denial is because applicants lack the work history needed for eligibility.

To illustrate, the SSA reported in its latest Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, released in October, that more than 700,000 technical denials were issued from about 2.2 million applications in 2008.  SSA follows a five-step process to evaluate SSDI applications, and that medical examiners make decisions based on medical documentation, age and work history, among other factors. If someone's application has been denied, there may be work history issues to clear up during the disability appeal, as well.

There are four areas where documentation of someone's work history plays a role in an SSDI claim. 

1. Work history documents can prove that you are currently insured. Working taxpayers contribute to the SSDI  program with their FICA taxes. To be eligible for SSDI, you must be "currently insured," which means that you made recent FICA payments. Specifically, you must have paid for 20 quarters in the last 10 years to qualify.

2. Work history documents can determine if you are fully insured. This is a second qualifier used to determine SSDI eligibility. You can earn up to four quarters a year, and generally, you are required to have 40 quarters of coverage. The SSA uses another calculation for younger workers -- using six quarters of coverage, plus one quarter of coverage for each year after you reach age 21. For example, a person age 27 probably only needs 12 quarters of coverage to be fully insured.

3. Work history details also factor into the SSA's determination if you are disabled. "The disability examiner will look at your disability, medical condition and your work experience when deciding your claim," Bueltemann explained. "The SSA will evaluate your ability to perform the work you did in your past, as well as any type of work that you may be capable of performing now." Read more about general disability guidelines on Allsup.com.

4.  Work history also factors into the amount of SSDI benefits you may receive. The SSA tracks your earnings and taxes paid to determine your Social Security retirement and, separately, your SSDI benefit amounts. These calculations are based on records filed by your employer, who is required to send the SSA a copy of your W-2 form.

To answer some of your questions about Social Security Disability, request our free book: Eight Mistakes to Avoid When Filing For Social Security Benefits. The book is full of great tips to help you understand Social Security and the SSD application process. If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-888-505-8232 or fill out the on-line contact form. The initial consultation is always free and there is no obligation.  And, if you can't come to our Indianapolis office, we can come to you.

Retreived From http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=256399&type=newswires.