If you are not able to work because of a physical injury, a disease, or a mental health problem, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Unlike retirement Social Security, which you get automatically based on your age, disability benefits are only paid if you can convince a Social Security decision maker or judge that your condition leaves you unable to work even a simple, entry-level job.
The Social Security Administration oversees several types of disability programs. The disability program that usually pays the largest monthly benefit is called the Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) program. In order to qualify for DIB benefits, your earnings record must show that you have paid a certain amount of Social Security tax when you were working. In order to get DIB coverage, a person must have worked at least twenty calendar quarters (five years) within the last forty calendar quarters (10 years) before the disability began. Different rules apply for individuals who were disabled prior to the age of 30.
When you apply for benefits, it is important that you know the date you are last covered for DIB benefits, so that you can claim the earliest possible start (or onset) date for your claimed disability. You should also know how Social Security defines “disability” and what you have to prove to win your case.
Attorney Vaughn Clauson and the staff of the Clauson Law Firm, PLLC represent honest, hardworking men and women throughout North Carolina who are looking to maximize their recovery of benefits from Social Security. Based in Durham, but practicing throughout North Carolina, we can help you understand whether you qualify for disability insurance benefits and how to apply for those benefits. We can also guide you through the application process with honest advice, helpful answers and personalized service. Attorney Vaughn Clauson is a board-certified Social Security Disability law specialist who has helped more than a thousand people obtain benefits.
