Types of SSD Benefits in Charlotte

You probably know that the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program can help individuals who suffer from a disability and can no longer work. What you may not know is that certain family members may also be eligible for SSDI benefits based on their loved one’s disability.

Whether you need to seek benefits as a disabled worker or as the relative of one, consulting a lawyer to understand all the available types of SSD benefits in Charlotte is the logical first step. At the Sasser Law Firm, PA, our seasoned SSDI attorneys provide full-service representation, from the initial application through all levels of appeal. With more than 30 years of legal experience, our firm has become a trusted resource in disability law. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more.

Benefits Available to Workers With a Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes various kinds of SSDI benefits available to qualifying individuals in Charlotte who can no longer work due to a disability. Eligibility requirements are not easy to meet or to prove. You must prove that you have a disability that makes it impossible to work your job or any other job, and show that you expect the disability to last at least one year or be fatal.

Additionally, you need to have a strong work history and a record of paying payroll taxes into the Social Security fund. The SSA determines your eligibility based on work credits, which are based on your wages. If you are over age 31, you must have earned half of your work credits in the prior decade before becoming disabled.

Dependent Family Member Benefits

Based on your eligibility for various categories of social security disability benefits, your dependent family members in Charlotte may also be eligible. These include:

• Minor children (under age 18)
• Adult children who are 18 or 19 and are full-time K-12 students
• Adult children, regardless of age, who became disabled before age 22
• A spouse who is at least 62 years old or who is caring for a minor child

Regardless of how many family members are eligible for SSDI, there is a benefits cap for each family. The SSA will ultimately base payments on the disabled worker’s wage-earning history.

Can Surviving Family Members Receive Benefits After a Disabled Worker Dies?

SSDI is a critical source of income for many families, and those financial needs do not end when the disabled worker passes away. Thankfully, the types of SSDI assistance available also include survivor benefits for qualifying family members in Charlotte.

Surviving Spouses

Specific eligibility and payment amounts depend on factors such as the spouse’s age and disability status, and whether they are caring for the deceased person’s minor or disabled child.

Surviving Ex-Spouses

If a marriage lasted 10 years or more, the ex-spouse of a deceased SSDI recipient may be eligible for survivor benefits. The SSA bases eligibility and payment amounts on the same factors as for surviving spouses and on whether the ex-spouse has remarried.

Surviving Dependent Children

Children of the deceased recipient who would have qualified for dependent benefits would also qualify for survivor benefits under the same criteria

The information above is a broad overview. To determine the specific eligibility for your family members, it is important to seek more information by speaking with an attorney from our firm or visiting the SSA’s website.

Contact Our Charlotte Attorneys About the Types of SSDI Benefits

To understand the types of SSD benefits in Charlotte and whether you qualify, contact our knowledgeable attorneys at The Sasser Law Firm, PA. During your initial consultation, our disability lawyers could answer your questions, explain your legal options, and explain the next steps in seeking benefits. Reach out today to get started.