At our office in Tallahassee, Florida, people often walk in wondering whether their medical condition qualifies them for social security disability benefits.   The unknown can often scare us. Studies show that just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67. When is the time to start planning for your future? The answer is now.

You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits in person in Tallahassee or a surrounding field office.  If your application for Social Security Disability Insurance is approved, your first Social Security benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the onset of your disability. For example, if your disability began on June 15, 2014, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2014, the sixth full month of disability. The amount of your monthly disability benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.

Disability benefits are paid under two programs: The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22. For most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and disability is determined by the same process.

Qualifying for social security disability insurance requires a certain amount of work credits based on wages or self-employment income over a period of time. You can earn up to four credits each year. The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year.  In 2015, you will earn a work credit for each $1,220 of wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $4,880, you will have earned your four credits for the year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled.  However, the rules are different for younger individuals.

Call or click the above link now for a free evaluation by a Tallahassee Social Security Disability lawyer.  The Law Office of Matt Liebenhaut represents clients at all stages of application and appeal for social security disability benefits as well as private long-term disability insurance benefits.