SSDI questions

LouLou · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, Here's an explanation...

What Is The Earnings Requirement for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the claimant must have received credits for working a specific amount of time and earning a specific dollar amount during the ten year period immediately preceding the onset of disability. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of all amounts reported by employers on each workers' Social Security number or account over the course of each worker's work life. From this record, the Administration calculates whether a claimant has earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI. A credit is equivalent to a calendar quarter. In order to earn a credit for having worked a calendar quarter a disability claimant must have earned a minimum dollar amount (to be discussed below) during that calendar quarter. Even if that minimum dollar amount was earned during a brief, two week period in that calendar quarter, following which the disability claimant did no work at all during the remaining portion of the calendar quarter, credit for the entire quarter is earned. Generally, in order to be eligible for SSDI, a claimant must have received credits for at least 20 calendar quarters (five years worth of calendar quarters) out of the last 40 calendar quarters (ten years worth of calendar quarters) ending with the year the claimant became disabled. The requirement of having earned credits for 20 out of the last 40 calendar quarters roughly equates to having worked five years worth of quarters out of the last ten years worth of quarters; however, it should be emphasized that the quarters need not have been worked together or in sequence. Thus, if a claimant was out of work every other quarter over a ten year period of time ending with his disability, he would have just barely earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Since there are only four calendar quarters in a year, a disability claimant cannot earn more than four credits for a year of work. For example, if a claimant worked in 1997, he received one social security credit for each calendar quarter in which he received at least $670 in earnings. The minimum amount of earnings required during a calendar quarter in order to earn a credit towards Social Security disability eligibility increases each year.

quoted from <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html">http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html</a>

LouLou · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, Here's an explanation...

What Is The Earnings Requirement for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the claimant must have received credits for working a specific amount of time and earning a specific dollar amount during the ten year period immediately preceding the onset of disability. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of all amounts reported by employers on each workers' Social Security number or account over the course of each worker's work life. From this record, the Administration calculates whether a claimant has earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI. A credit is equivalent to a calendar quarter. In order to earn a credit for having worked a calendar quarter a disability claimant must have earned a minimum dollar amount (to be discussed below) during that calendar quarter. Even if that minimum dollar amount was earned during a brief, two week period in that calendar quarter, following which the disability claimant did no work at all during the remaining portion of the calendar quarter, credit for the entire quarter is earned. Generally, in order to be eligible for SSDI, a claimant must have received credits for at least 20 calendar quarters (five years worth of calendar quarters) out of the last 40 calendar quarters (ten years worth of calendar quarters) ending with the year the claimant became disabled. The requirement of having earned credits for 20 out of the last 40 calendar quarters roughly equates to having worked five years worth of quarters out of the last ten years worth of quarters; however, it should be emphasized that the quarters need not have been worked together or in sequence. Thus, if a claimant was out of work every other quarter over a ten year period of time ending with his disability, he would have just barely earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Since there are only four calendar quarters in a year, a disability claimant cannot earn more than four credits for a year of work. For example, if a claimant worked in 1997, he received one social security credit for each calendar quarter in which he received at least $670 in earnings. The minimum amount of earnings required during a calendar quarter in order to earn a credit towards Social Security disability eligibility increases each year.

quoted from <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html">http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html</a>

LouLou · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, Here's an explanation...

What Is The Earnings Requirement for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the claimant must have received credits for working a specific amount of time and earning a specific dollar amount during the ten year period immediately preceding the onset of disability. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of all amounts reported by employers on each workers' Social Security number or account over the course of each worker's work life. From this record, the Administration calculates whether a claimant has earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI. A credit is equivalent to a calendar quarter. In order to earn a credit for having worked a calendar quarter a disability claimant must have earned a minimum dollar amount (to be discussed below) during that calendar quarter. Even if that minimum dollar amount was earned during a brief, two week period in that calendar quarter, following which the disability claimant did no work at all during the remaining portion of the calendar quarter, credit for the entire quarter is earned. Generally, in order to be eligible for SSDI, a claimant must have received credits for at least 20 calendar quarters (five years worth of calendar quarters) out of the last 40 calendar quarters (ten years worth of calendar quarters) ending with the year the claimant became disabled. The requirement of having earned credits for 20 out of the last 40 calendar quarters roughly equates to having worked five years worth of quarters out of the last ten years worth of quarters; however, it should be emphasized that the quarters need not have been worked together or in sequence. Thus, if a claimant was out of work every other quarter over a ten year period of time ending with his disability, he would have just barely earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Since there are only four calendar quarters in a year, a disability claimant cannot earn more than four credits for a year of work. For example, if a claimant worked in 1997, he received one social security credit for each calendar quarter in which he received at least $670 in earnings. The minimum amount of earnings required during a calendar quarter in order to earn a credit towards Social Security disability eligibility increases each year.

quoted from <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html">http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html</a>

LouLou · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, Here's an explanation...

What Is The Earnings Requirement for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the claimant must have received credits for working a specific amount of time and earning a specific dollar amount during the ten year period immediately preceding the onset of disability. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of all amounts reported by employers on each workers' Social Security number or account over the course of each worker's work life. From this record, the Administration calculates whether a claimant has earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI. A credit is equivalent to a calendar quarter. In order to earn a credit for having worked a calendar quarter a disability claimant must have earned a minimum dollar amount (to be discussed below) during that calendar quarter. Even if that minimum dollar amount was earned during a brief, two week period in that calendar quarter, following which the disability claimant did no work at all during the remaining portion of the calendar quarter, credit for the entire quarter is earned. Generally, in order to be eligible for SSDI, a claimant must have received credits for at least 20 calendar quarters (five years worth of calendar quarters) out of the last 40 calendar quarters (ten years worth of calendar quarters) ending with the year the claimant became disabled. The requirement of having earned credits for 20 out of the last 40 calendar quarters roughly equates to having worked five years worth of quarters out of the last ten years worth of quarters; however, it should be emphasized that the quarters need not have been worked together or in sequence. Thus, if a claimant was out of work every other quarter over a ten year period of time ending with his disability, he would have just barely earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Since there are only four calendar quarters in a year, a disability claimant cannot earn more than four credits for a year of work. For example, if a claimant worked in 1997, he received one social security credit for each calendar quarter in which he received at least $670 in earnings. The minimum amount of earnings required during a calendar quarter in order to earn a credit towards Social Security disability eligibility increases each year.

quoted from <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html">http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html</a>

LouLou · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, Here's an explanation...

What Is The Earnings Requirement for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the claimant must have received credits for working a specific amount of time and earning a specific dollar amount during the ten year period immediately preceding the onset of disability. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of all amounts reported by employers on each workers' Social Security number or account over the course of each worker's work life. From this record, the Administration calculates whether a claimant has earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI. A credit is equivalent to a calendar quarter. In order to earn a credit for having worked a calendar quarter a disability claimant must have earned a minimum dollar amount (to be discussed below) during that calendar quarter. Even if that minimum dollar amount was earned during a brief, two week period in that calendar quarter, following which the disability claimant did no work at all during the remaining portion of the calendar quarter, credit for the entire quarter is earned. Generally, in order to be eligible for SSDI, a claimant must have received credits for at least 20 calendar quarters (five years worth of calendar quarters) out of the last 40 calendar quarters (ten years worth of calendar quarters) ending with the year the claimant became disabled. The requirement of having earned credits for 20 out of the last 40 calendar quarters roughly equates to having worked five years worth of quarters out of the last ten years worth of quarters; however, it should be emphasized that the quarters need not have been worked together or in sequence. Thus, if a claimant was out of work every other quarter over a ten year period of time ending with his disability, he would have just barely earned sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Since there are only four calendar quarters in a year, a disability claimant cannot earn more than four credits for a year of work. For example, if a claimant worked in 1997, he received one social security credit for each calendar quarter in which he received at least $670 in earnings. The minimum amount of earnings required during a calendar quarter in order to earn a credit towards Social Security disability eligibility increases each year.

quoted from <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html">http://www.ashcraftandgerel.com/ssdisab.html</a>

julie · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, in LouLou's case I was assuming she was 31+ (sorry LouLou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) so they would look back over the last 10 years of her work history to see if she has enough work credits to qualify.

Here's a little info about the credits: The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die.

In 2007, you receive one credit for each $1,000 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.

Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)</a>

And here's some info where I got the "10 year look back" sentence:
1. If you become disabled before age 24, you generally need 1½ years of work (six credits) in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you are 24 through 30, you generally need credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

3. If you are disabled at age 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.

LouLou would actually fall into #2 if she files before she is 31.

Hope that helps to explain it.

julie · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, in LouLou's case I was assuming she was 31+ (sorry LouLou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) so they would look back over the last 10 years of her work history to see if she has enough work credits to qualify.

Here's a little info about the credits: The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die.

In 2007, you receive one credit for each $1,000 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.

Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)</a>

And here's some info where I got the "10 year look back" sentence:
1. If you become disabled before age 24, you generally need 1½ years of work (six credits) in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you are 24 through 30, you generally need credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

3. If you are disabled at age 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.

LouLou would actually fall into #2 if she files before she is 31.

Hope that helps to explain it.

julie · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, in LouLou's case I was assuming she was 31+ (sorry LouLou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) so they would look back over the last 10 years of her work history to see if she has enough work credits to qualify.

Here's a little info about the credits: The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die.

In 2007, you receive one credit for each $1,000 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.

Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)</a>

And here's some info where I got the "10 year look back" sentence:
1. If you become disabled before age 24, you generally need 1½ years of work (six credits) in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you are 24 through 30, you generally need credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

3. If you are disabled at age 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.

LouLou would actually fall into #2 if she files before she is 31.

Hope that helps to explain it.

julie · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, in LouLou's case I was assuming she was 31+ (sorry LouLou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) so they would look back over the last 10 years of her work history to see if she has enough work credits to qualify.

Here's a little info about the credits: The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die.

In 2007, you receive one credit for each $1,000 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.

Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)</a>

And here's some info where I got the "10 year look back" sentence:
1. If you become disabled before age 24, you generally need 1½ years of work (six credits) in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you are 24 through 30, you generally need credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

3. If you are disabled at age 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.

LouLou would actually fall into #2 if she files before she is 31.

Hope that helps to explain it.

julie · Dec 1, 2007

Bigwalt, in LouLou's case I was assuming she was 31+ (sorry LouLou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) so they would look back over the last 10 years of her work history to see if she has enough work credits to qualify.

Here's a little info about the credits: The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die.

In 2007, you receive one credit for each $1,000 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.

Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)">http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html)</a>

And here's some info where I got the "10 year look back" sentence:
1. If you become disabled before age 24, you generally need 1½ years of work (six credits) in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you are 24 through 30, you generally need credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

3. If you are disabled at age 31 or older, you generally need at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.

LouLou would actually fall into #2 if she files before she is 31.

Hope that helps to explain it.

Bigwalt · Dec 2, 2007