If you have spent your life paying into Social Security with the expectation of being able to access those benefits when you need it most, it is not unreasonable to feel betrayed or distressed when you are denied those benefits. Social Security Disability, or SSD, is an insurance program intended to help certain qualifying applicants who are in need of certain assistance by providing them a monthly payment.
Understanding how to qualify for Social Security Disability in North Carolina is important.
How To Qualify for Social Security Disability in North Carolina
Not everyone who applies for SSD benefits is able to receive them. In order to qualify for these benefits, you must meet certain criteria and have a completed application containing no mistakes or factual errors. If you want to ensure your application does not have any avoidable mistakes, you should take your application to an experienced SSD lawyer who can help you fill it out and gather the correct documentation to create a strong application.
To qualify for SSD benefits, you need to make sure you have earned a certain amount of work credits, which are based on your overall yearly earnings. You can earn up to four work credits per year during your working life. You need to earn a certain amount every year in order to earn a work credit. These credits are used to help determine if you are eligible for two distinct earnings tests:
Recent Work Test: For most applicants, you need to have worked at least five out of the last ten years prior to your disability or have earned 20 work credits. If you are younger and seeking SSD, you may qualify for benefits with fewer than 20 work credits.Duration of Work Test: In order to pass this test, you must have worked a certain number of years and paid into SSD over the course of your career. This largely depends on your age at the time that you get your disability.
If you do not pass either of these tests, there is still a chance you could receive other forms of disability assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income or SSI. An experienced SSD lawyer can inform you of all options you may qualify for and help you secure additional assistance.
Disability Requirements
While you need to pass the earnings test to receive SSD benefits, you must also meet the disability requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You must suffer a medical condition that is preventing you from holding gainful employment and is expected to last at least a year or result in your eventual death.
You will undergo an examination for the North Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS) with a claim examiner and medical examiner. They will review your case through a five-step process in which you must answer these questions honestly and accurately:
Are You Currently Working?If you are currently holding a job and your monthly earnings exceed a certain threshold, you won’t qualify for SSD benefits.Is Your Condition Severe?Your condition must severely limit your ability to perform basic tasks for at least a year. If it doesn’t, you won’t qualify.Is Your Condition on the List?If your medical condition does not appear on the SSA’s List of Impairments, it likely will not qualify as a disability by their standards.Can You Go Back to Your Previous Work?If the SSA decides that you are physically able to return to your previous job and continue to work, you won’t qualify for benefits.Can You Do Other Work?If you are unable to perform your previous work, the SSA will determine if you are able to get a different job despite your medical condition. If you can, you won’t qualify for benefits.
FAQs
Q: What Determines If You Qualify for Disability?
A: In order to see if you qualify for disability, you will undergo a series of important tests by the North Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS). A claims examiner and a medical examiner will ask you a series of questions to determine your qualifications for Social Security Disability benefits. If your answers are insufficient, you may not qualify for benefits and may wish to pursue other avenues of financial assistance.
Q: What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability in North Carolina?
A: In North Carolina, there are many different medical conditions that could automatically qualify you for SSD benefits. Any medical condition that prevents you from holding gainful employment for at least a full year may qualify you. Certain mental disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and long-term skin conditions may qualify you. As long as your condition appears on the SSA’s impairment list, you have a strong chance.
Q: How Hard Is It to Get Disability in North Carolina?
A: It can be difficult to get disability benefits in North Carolina. The majority of applications are denied on the first try. However, you have the opportunity to seek an appeal. It can be disheartening to see that your application has been denied. If you wish to keep trying, you may want to reach out to an experienced SSD lawyer who can help you fill out your application and make sure you don’t make any crucial mistakes going forward.
Q: When Should I Apply for Benefits?
A: You should start the application process for SSD benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take quite some time for the Social Security Administration to get to your case, depending on the accuracy of your application and their current caseload. You want to get started as soon as you possibly can.
Reach Out to a Lawyer Today
It is important to understand whether you qualify for SSD benefits or not before you start applying for them to avoid wasting time and resources on unsuccessful claims. Reaching out to a good lawyer with well-prepared questions can make all the difference.
The legal team at Bridgman Gantt Law Offices understands the most effective way to help you with your SSD case. We can build up your application, work on your appeal, and represent you during your hearing. Contact us to speak with a valued team member about a consultation.
