I have not worked in 6 years..can I get SSDI?

[anonymous]

I haven't been able to work since Feb. 2005. Will I still qualtify to get benefits

[Disability Advocate]

SSDI is financed through Social Security employment taxes paid by employers and employees. SSDI benefits are only paid to claimants who have worked and paid enough taxes to be considered “insured” by the Social Security Administration. Most full-time workers can earn 4 work credits per year, and the amount of work credits needed to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance can vary based on the claimant’s age at the time they become disabled.

If you stop working and stop paying your "premiums" or taxes, you will be covered for awhile following your last payment, but sometime in the future your “insurance” policy will end and you will not be considered insured. This date is your Date Last Insurance or your DLI. The date last insured is the last date you are insured for Disability Insurance benefits under Social Security.

Can you apply for SSDI after your date last insured? Yes, you can but you must be able to prove that your disability started before your DLI. If you can prove your disability began before your DLI, you may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

Many claimants think that Social Security Disability Insurance is similar to Social Security Retirement and the money is being set aside for them any time they become disabled, but it is critical that claimants think of disability benefits more like an insurance police (i.e. car insurance) that is only valid when the claimant is paying premiums.

To find out if you are insured you can either reivew your Statement of Earnings that the SSA sends to employees each year or you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

If you would like an attorney to review your claim you can fill out the FREE evaluation form and a disability advocate will call you to review your claim or you can call our office at 1-800-641-3759 to talk to someone now.