Is Age a Factor in SSDI or SSI Claims?

Both Social Security Disability Insurance, called SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, called SSI, are federal benefits programs that the Social Security Administration (SSA, administers). They provide financial support to individuals with disabilities based on different factors. While the guidelines for SSDI base the benefits on your work history and the amount of taxes you paid into Social Security, the guidelines for SSI are needs-based for people with limited income and resources.

The definition of “disability” is the same for both programs: a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents the individual from engaging in gainful employment. It is essential to note that the condition must be foreseeable for at least 12 months or result in the applicant’s eventual death. But does age play a factor at all in getting SSDI or SSI benefits? Our SSDI attorneys can explain further.

How Age Plays a Factor in SSDI Claims

Two age-related aspects primarily influence eligibility for SSDI. The first is that qualifying for SSDI requires earning enough work credits based on earnings in Social Security-covered jobs. Further, the number of credits needed depends on your age at the onset of the disability.

Those with disabilities who are under 24 must have earned at least six credits in the three years before the disability begins. Those aged 24 to 30 need credits covering half the time between age 21 and the onset of the disability. Workers aged 31 or older typically need at least 40 credits, 20 of which must be earned in the 10 years preceding the disability, to qualify. The calculation ensures there is a recent work history for older applicants, while also allowing for flexibility for younger workers with disabilities.

Age Consideration in SSI Claims

Age is also an element considered when qualifying individuals for SSI, but the process differs from that for SSDI. SSI is available to applicants who are at or above full retirement age, regardless of disability, as long as it limits income. The benefits are available to those who are blind or disabled, even if they have not worked enough or earned the required number of work credits to qualify under the SSDI program, provided they meet the specific income and resource criteria.

SSI has strict income limits, and in West Virginia, recipients often qualify for Medicaid automatically. Applicants can receive both SSDI and SSI concurrently if eligible, with SSI supplementing low SSDI payments.

Contact a Qualified Disability Benefits Attorney and Learn If Age Will Be a Factor in Your Application

While age does play a role in eligibility for SSDI and SSI, it is not a final deciding factor. Many other factors play into the approval process, and speaking with a seasoned lawyer at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law to review the full criteria is the most effective way to determine eligibility.

Contact our office today to learn more and set up a free consultation. We can review the complete list of criteria, help determine eligibility, and guide you through the complex process.