SSDI Benefits in Charlotte

If you can prove that you have earned enough work credits and that you have a disability severe enough to prevent you from holding a full-time job, you may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, the exact value of these benefits can vary depending on how long you worked before becoming disabled and how much taxable income you earned during that period.

Obtaining SSDI benefits in Charlotte can be difficult even for individuals who meet the SSA’s eligibility standards. For this reason, it is advisable to seek guidance from a seasoned Social Security attorney when pursuing SSDI benefits.

The SSDI Payment Formula

When determining the amount of SSDI benefits someone is entitled to, the SSA will look at his or her “average indexed monthly earnings” (AIME). Essentially, AIME is the total amount of wages earned and paid into Social Security income taxes during someone’s career, divided by the total number of months they worked prior to becoming disabled.

An applicant’s AIME is then input into a standardized formula to calculate his or her “Primary Insurance Amount” (PIA). This formula works somewhat like a marginal tax rate, in that a certain percentage of an applicant’s AIME is added to their PIA up to a certain amount, known as a “bend point,” at which point the percentage will change. In 2020, for instance, an applicant’s PIA was the sum of the following percentages of their AIME:

• 90 percent of AIME up to $960
• 32 percent of AIME between $960 and $5,785
• 15 percent of AIME over $5,785

The applicable percentages and “bend points” in this formula change every year based on inflation, cost-of-living adjustments, and other factors. Furthermore, certain other government-regulated disability benefits like workers’ compensation may lead to a reduction in SSDI benefits. A qualified attorney can offer more insight on how these calculations work and what impact they could have on an individual applicant’s claim for SSDI benefits.

Additional Benefits Available through SSDI

Notably, family members of a SSDI recipient can also receive benefits through their eligible family member under certain circumstances. For example, minor children may be eligible for a monthly benefit based on their parent’s SSDI eligibility. Furthermore, children under 18 may receive a monthly survivor benefit payment if their parent passes away.

Additionally, anyone who receives SSDI benefits for two consecutive years automatically becomes eligible for Medicare. If an applicant has a particular serious medical condition, such as ALS or End Stage Renal Disease, a Charlotte lawyer who is familiar with SSDI benefits may even be able to help him or her seek immediate eligibility for Medicare.

Talk to a Charlotte Attorney about Pursuing SSDI Benefits

If you are disabled and no longer able to hold gainful employment, the years of work you already performed could make you eligible for financial assistance through SSDI. Assistance from qualified legal counsel is often essential to understanding and effectively seeking SSDI benefits in Charlotte. Call our firm today to set up a consultation.