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Disability benefits only if worked recently?

Messages
43
Location
Austin, TX
I heard that in order to be eligible for disability, you need to have worked within a certain amt if time. I've been a stay at home mom for years, although I did do a little bit of freelance from home.

Does anyone know?

Thanks,
Nina
 

caledonia

Senior Member
Assuming you're talking about SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), you need to have a certain number of work quarters (30 I think?) over the past 5 years. You also need to have been paying the FICA tax. You can look on your pay stub to see if you have been paying that.

If not, you may be eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income). For this one, your income and assets have to be below a certain amount (such as $1500 per month for individuals). If you have a husband who works and makes over this amount, you won't be eligible based on having too much income. If you have too many assets such as an IRA, you can spend down your assets to become eligible. You are allowed to keep one house, one car and a grave plot.

When you apply for Social Security Disability, they will see if you are eligible for both SSDI and SSI.
 

Dainty

Senior Member
Messages
1,751
Location
Seattle
While it sounds like this wouldn't apply to you, I am applying even though I have not officially worked since doing odd jobs as a teenager. There's something about if you're under a certain age you do not have to have worked a certain amount, but you have to apply before that age ends. I think it's something like 23. I've forgotten the details, but there is an exemption somewhere that may or may not apply to you. Sorry I can't be more helpful...
 

Dainty

Senior Member
Messages
1,751
Location
Seattle
These are the requirements from the Soc Sec website:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10072.html

Okay, I've found what I'm referring to...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dacpage.shtml

Again, it doesn't sound like it's applicable to the original poster, but I thought it might be helpful to someone in the spirit of answering that question.

Edit: Also, to the original poster, this page* might be helpful. When explaining how to apply they say "If you've never worked, skip this step and contact us after you complete step 3." It doesn't seem like they'd say that unless there was a possibility.

*http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/adult.htm