Can I Get Oklahoma Disability Benefits?

Disability Attorneys Explain Who Qualifies For Social Security Insurance Benefits

“Paying into Social Security” is a phrase that anyone who has looked at a paycheck has probably heard before. By having a payroll deduction applied to earnings by an employer (FICA) or as self-employment tax, that individual contributes to Social Security. This is done in order to receive Disability Insurance benefits (DIB) in the event of a disability. These benefits are also called Title 2 or more commonly referred to as Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI).

However, a payroll deduction does not automatically qualify a person to receive SSDI. A claimant is the individual filing for Oklahoma disability benefits. A claimant can increase his/her chances of a successful disability application by talking to a disability attorney in Tulsa. When you call the Social Security law firm of Troutman & Troutman, we can help by reviewing your contributions to Social Security Disability. We also review other factors that determine if you are eligible for disability benefits.

Learn more about how Troutman & Troutman can help you by calling (918) 265-1404 or contacting us online today!

What are Social Security Disability Work Credits? Disability Lawyers in Tulsa OK

Every claimant must accumulate a certain number of work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. You must earn some of these credits during a 10-year period prior to the date you can prove you became disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a formula to determine the basic requirement for SSDI work credits. It is based on your prior work history and the age in which you became disabled.

The amount of credits a claimant has earned in his or her work history is important to Social Security eligibility for disability benefits. However, if you have not earned enough credits to qualify for SSDI and can demonstrate a financial need, you may be eligible for supplemental security income (SSI).

What is My Social Security Oklahoma Disability Benefits Eligibility?

Based on your work credits, the Social Security Administration calculates the “date last insured” (DLI). It describes the date on which the claimant’s insured status stopped. The SSA determines the date last insured based on your payroll and tax records. If you are found to be disabled after the date last insured, then you are not eligible for SSDI. Cases in which the date last insured has expired can be very difficult. This is because the claimant must prove his or her condition in the remote past.

Unlike SSDI, filing for SSI does not require that a person had insurance prior to the date of disability. However, SSDI payments are generally greater in amount than SSI. A person can be eligible for SSI if he or she never worked, as the SSA bases eligibility on the claimant’s income and assets – not work credits. Only those with very low income and very few assets are eligible for SSI. However, with SSDI, a person can receive payments regardless of his or her financial status.

Can I Get SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?

If a claimant has filed a concurrent claim, one for both SSDI and SSI, the claimant may receive benefits from both SSDI and SSI. A person found disabled might be able to receive SSDI and SSI at the same time in the event the current SSDI benefits are less than $735 per month for 2017.

Concurrent SSDI and SSI claims offer additional benefits to SSI or SSDI payments alone. For those earning a low amount of SSDI benefits, gaining SSI benefits may raise the benefit amount to a total of $735 per month. Receiving concurrent Oklahoma disability benefits also improves Medicare eligibility for claimants. Learn more about SSDI benefits and working.

How Do I Know if I Qualify for SSI or SSDI Oklahoma Disability Benefits?

Finding a trusted disability lawyer is the first step toward understanding eligibility for Social Security benefits in Oklahoma. Our experience dealing with complex SSA policies like earned work credits can provide claimants with a better understanding of their eligibility for benefits under SSDI, SSI or both. We can then explain how to calculate your disability benefits amount.

With the personalized attention our small Tulsa law firm can offer, our attorneys provide free evaluations of your case and legal advice to anyone needing to explore their eligibility under Social Security Disability law. In addition, we can work with you determine if you should also get back pay for benefits.

Call (918) 265-1404 today or fill out an online case review form if you have any questions.