I haven’t worked for years and have been staying home taking care of my children. Now that I am ill, can I file a claim for Social Security disability benefits?

The main difference between Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Insurance is your prior work status. Both types of Social Security disability benefits offer monthly payments to help meet your essential needs, such as food and rent.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance is available to people who meet specific working requirements.

Adults ages 31 to 42 must have at least 20 full quarters, or five years, of regular work experience to qualify. The experience doesn’t need to be continuous. Individuals above the age of 62 must have 40 full quarters, or ten years, of ongoing employment experience to meet the initial SSDI criteria.

To receive SSDI benefits, the individual must have a qualifying disability that prevents them from working in a job.

Unlike Social Security Insurance, people who get Social Security Disability Insurance can own certain assets, like investments and savings. They can receive unearned income, such as gains from stocks and bonds and rental property income.

Social Security Insurance

Social Security Insurance is available for anyone unable to work, regardless of their prior working history. Individuals do not need to have paid into the Social Security tax system to collect benefits.

People who collect SSI cannot own assets above a certain amount. For instance, they cannot have a savings account with a balance above $2,000 or any investments or other liquid assets of similar value. However, they may own one car for transportation purposes.

Individuals must have a qualifying disability to receive SSI. A doctor must testify to their condition and elaborate on their future ability to work.

Depending on their past employment history, individuals who haven’t worked in a while may collect both Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Insurance.

Even if an individual hasn’t held a regular job in some time, their prior accrued earnings and tax payments may qualify them for SSDI.

If the individual has never worked or paid Social Security taxes, they are unlikely to qualify for SSDI. However, they may still qualify for SSI if they meet the eligibility requirements.

If a stay-at-home parent previously worked the required number of quarters before ceasing their employment activities, they may collect Social Security Disability Insurance.

Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration does not recognize parents’ time caring for their kids. Thus, if the parent has not worked in a paying position for years, they may not meet the work credit requirements for SSDI. However, they may still receive SSI.

The maximum payment for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is $3,148, although most people receive less. The fee is determined by prior earnings over the worker’s life.

Individuals who receive Social Security Insurance may get payments up to $841 per month. SSI does not depend on prior working history or FICA tax payments. Thus, if you have spent your working years raising children, you may still obtain SSI benefits.

To get Social Security disability benefits, you’ll need to begin a claim with the Social Security Administration. When you apply for help, the Administration automatically considers you for SSDI and SSI.

You’ll need to provide certain information, including your asset values, details about your disability, and earnings history. The application for Social Security disability benefits is complex. Many people benefit from legal assistance when applying for a claim.

You can receive Social Security disability benefits as long as you continue to be unable to work due to a disability. If your condition changes, you may no longer receive benefits. In addition, engaging in any work above substantial gainful activity may result in reducing or canceling your benefits.

If you need help determining whether you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, contact Morgan & Morgan. Our lawyers and staff can help you with your Social Security application and answer any questions you have during the application process.

Use our contact form today to schedule a free consultation for your case.