How to Find Out If I Qualify for Disability

Typically, when people refer to being on "disability," they mean receiving Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability is a federally funded program designed to give taxpayers who have paid into the program an income if they become medically disabled. The Social Security Administration determines disability benefits by how long and how much you have worked as well as the specifics of your medical condition. The qualifications to receive disability benefits are strict, which makes figuring out if you qualify less difficult than it may seem.

Things You'll Need

• A Social Security number
• W-2 or federal tax return, most recent
• Overview of your medical records, including diagnosis and impairments list
• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Calculate your "work credits" according to the Social Security Administration's guidelines using your most recent W-2 or federal tax return. The Social Security Online website has a copy of the table determining "work credits" and its explanation. If you do not have enough "work credits" to meet the minimum for your age, you do not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

• 2

  Determine if you are considered disabled under the Social Security Administration's definition. According to Social Security Online, disability means that "you cannot do the work you did before; we [the Social Security Administration] decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death." If you do not meet these tenets, you do not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

• 3

  Confirm the specifics regarding the severity of your condition. Social Security Online further defines disability as: unable to work; working but earning less than $1,000 a month; a "severe" medical condition; having a medical condition on the list of disabling conditions; unable to perform the work done previously; and unable to do any other kind of work. If you do not meet all the qualifications, you probably do not qualify for Social Security disability benefits, because there are special considerations under which you may fall.

• 4

  Complete the survey at the Social Security Administration's Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool website to confirm your eligibility with more authority if there are any questions or doubts before applying.