If your disability prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration provides monthly benefits to people who meet strict criteria concerning work history and disability level. Because the application and appeals process can be complex, the assistance of an attorney can be enormously helpful.
Contact an Detroit SSD attorney from J.B. Bieske and Jennifer Alfonsi, Attorneys at Law, in Michigan for more information.
Social Security is the federal program that provides retirement, disability, survivor, family assistance and Medicare benefits. The program is funded by earmarked taxes withheld from employees’ paychecks, matching funds from employers and taxes from self-employed individuals. Social Security benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and governed by the Social Security Act.
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, a person must be “disabled” according to the definition provided by the federal Social Security Act. A person is disabled if he or she:
The person must not be able to the do work she did previously or any other type of substantial gainful activity that she is qualified to do.
Five major types of disability benefits are available under the Social Security Act. Each one has its own rules for qualification, which can be complicated. Both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide benefits. SSDI is based on the applicant’s work history and disability while SSI is based on the applicant’s income and disability, old age or blindness.
With this basic knowledge about the types of benefits that are available, you may be able to decide whether applying for Social Security Disability is the right decision for you.
An attorney from J.B. Bieske and Jennifer Alfonsi, Attorneys at Law, in Michigan can answer your Social Security Disability benefits questions and help you through the qualification process.