The Difference between SSDI & SSI Benefits for Disabled Floridians

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides 2 main types of benefits for those who are disabled in Florida: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each type of disability benefits has different criteria to meet for eligibility. A South Florida Social Security disability lawyer can help you to establish your eligibility.

Filing For SSDI Disability Benefits When You Are Disabled in Florida

Becoming disabled in Florida can result in the need for financial assistance through disability benefits. Your South Florida Social Security disability lawyer can help you determine if you qualify for SSDI benefits, which can help you also qualify for other federal assistance. The basic requirements for SSDI disability benefits are:

• you have been diagnosed with a disabling condition that has lasted at least 12 months prior to your application, or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death;
• your disabling condition prevents you from performing your former occupations and any other type of substantial gainful activity; and
• you formerly worked at a job that paid into the Social Security system and earned at least 40 work credits in your lifetime.

Work credits are earned based upon how much you earn in a year, 1 credit for every $1,120 earned allowing up to 4 credits per year. There are more detailed rules for work credit requirements that your South Florida Social Security disability lawyer can explain.

Filing For SSI Disability Benefits When You Are Disabled in Florida

The SSI disability benefits system also looks at your disabling condition from the aspects of how it impairs your ability to perform substantial gainful activity and how long it has lasted or is expected to last. You must meet the same requirements for your disabling condition history and prognosis and provide the same evidence of its impairment of your work ability as you do with SSDI disability benefits.

While SSDI disability benefits focused on your work history and payment into the Social Security program before you became disabled in Florida, SSI disability benefits qualify you based on your income and resources. You must meet income requirements to be considered low income.

A South Florida Social Security disability lawyer can best help you evaluate your situation when you have become disabled in Florida. The SSA will review your income, as well as resources/assets, and determine if you fall below the maximum income amounts to qualify.

Contacting a South Florida Social Security Disability Lawyer

Filing for Social Security disability benefits is complicated and time-consuming, but at LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A., our South Florida Social disability lawyer team is ready for the challenge. We like to empower our clients by providing a FREE Social Security disability guide so you can learn more about the process of filing for disability benefits. When you're ready to get started, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to begin your claim. Our state-of-the-art, customized intake and database system means less hassle, so you can focus on what's most important to you instead of having to spend your days wading through confusing legalese and legal red tape. Call today - 1-888-234-5758.

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