MN Social Security Disability Insurance, or “SSDI,” is available for some people who are disabled and cannot work because of their disability. SSDI eligibility depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, you must be disabled under Social Security’s rules, and have enough “work credits.”

Who is disabled under Social Security’s rules?
First, for SSDI eligibility, you must be “disabled” under Social Security’s rules. This generally means that you have a health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last at least one year, or that is expected to result in death. This medical condition also must prevent you from working full time at any job. It is not enough that it prevents you from working at any of your past jobs. Social Security does have a listing of impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify a person for SSDI. If your medical condition is listed on the List of Impairments, or meets a condition on this list, then you will be considered disabled for SSDI eligibility requirements.

How are my work credits computed?
The second SSDI eligibility requirement is that you have enough work credits. When you worked, you paid social security taxes. These taxes generally transfer into credits. You must have enough total work credits, and enough recent work credits, for SSDI eligibility.

In general, your work credits are computed based on two different “earnings tests.” These tests are (1) a “recent work test” based on the age when you became disabled, and (2) a “duration of work test” that totals the number of years you worked before you became disabled.

• Requirements under the Recent Work test

1. If you become disabled when you are 24-years-old or before, then you need 1 ½ years of work in the three years before you became disabled.

2. If you become disabled between ages 25 and 30, then you need to have worked half the time between age 21 and your age at the time of your disability.

3. If you become disabled at age 31 or older, then you need to have worked 5 out of the 10 years before you became disabled.

• Requirements under the Duration of Work test

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding applying for disability benefits or appealing a denial from SSA. We provide Minnesota disability services throughout the state of MN. We are local Minnesota disability lawyers located in Minneapolis and concentrate on handling only Minnesota claims.

Completing an SSDI Application can be done by anyone and in a number of different ways. There is some basic information that you must know prior to completing the SSDI Application.

Who can complete the SSDI Application?
Anyone can complete the St. Paul SSDI Application. People can complete the application for themselves, or for someone else. If you have someone complete the SSDI Application for you and submit it online, then Social Security will send you a printed version of the SSDI Application for you to sign and return. You can also change any inaccurate information on this form.

How can I complete the SSDI Application?
There are several different ways to complete the SSDI Application.

• Online SSDI Application
Completing the online SSDI Application can be the easiest way for people who have access to the Internet and computer knowledge. The application is located at www.ssa.gov. Simply click on “Applying for Disability Benefits” to begin. If you would like someone to assist you with your online application, that is permitted.

• Filing the SSDI Application in Person
People who wish to file the Minnesota SSDI Application in person should visit their local MN Social Security Administration office. The closest Social Security office can be found in the government pages of your local phone book and through the Social Security’s website at www.ssa.gov. Most Social Security offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You should call your office to make an appointment prior to coming in and completing the SSDI Application.

What do I need to submit with my SSDI Application?
Submitting the SSDI Application is not enough. Minnesota Social Security requires that two more forms be submitted with it.

• Disability & Work History Report
After completing the SSDI Application, you must complete a document called a “Disability & Work History Report.” This form can be completed online immediately after completing the SSDI Application. It asks for information regarding your medical conditions, education, jobs you have had over the previous 15 years, and the names and addressed of doctors and hospitals where you have treated for your conditions. A Social Security representative can complete this with you if you are completing the SSDI Application at your local office.

• Medical Authorization
After you have completed the SSDI Application and Disability & Work History Report, you will have to sign and return an authorization so that Social Security can obtain your medical records to verify your conditions. You can print this from the Internet and mail it to your local office, or sign it at your local office after applying for St. Paul SSDI benefits.

Applying for SSDI is an option for many people who become disabled and cannot work. Prior to applying for SSDI, there are a few things that you should know.

Who can apply for SSDI?
Anyone can apply for SSDI, however not everyone is eligible for SSDI benefits. Because the MN disability application for SSDI can be a difficult process, it is important that you first ensure your eligibility.

1. Disabled
First, you must be “disabled” under Social Security’s rules. This generally means that you have a health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last at least one year, or that is expected to result in death. This medical condition also must prevent you from working full time at any job. This is a very strict definition of “disability” required by federal law. Social Security does have a listing of impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify a person for SSDI. If your medical condition is listed on the List of Impairments, or meets a condition on this list, then you will be considered disabled.

2. Work Credits
Second, you must have enough work credits to be successful in a Minnesota disability application for SSDI. When you worked, you paid social security taxes. These taxes generally transfer into credits. You must have enough total work credits, and enough recent work credits, to be eligible for SSDI.

How can I apply for SSDI?
There are two ways of applying for SSDI:

1. Online
Applying for SSDI online can be the easiest route. The application is located at www.ssa.gov. Simply click on “Applying for Disability Benefits” to begin. If you would like someone to assist you with your online application, that is permitted. The person can also complete the application without you being present, and when it is complete, a representative from Social Security will mail you a paper copy of the completed online application. You must sign this and mail it back to Social Security.

2. In Person
People who wish to apply for Minnesota disability benefits in person should visit their local Social Security Administration office. The closest Social Security office can be found in the government pages of your local phone book and through the Social Security’s website at www.ssa.gov. Most Social Security offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You should call your office to make an appointment prior to coming in and applying for SSDI.

Who can apply for SSI?
Anyone can apply for SSI. There is no charge to complete an SSI Application. Not everyone is eligible for Minnesota SSI benefits, however. The following people meet the SSI eligibility requirements:

People who are:
1. Disabled;
2. Blind, or
3. Aged (age 65 or over),

And, who:
1. have limited income;
2. have limited resources; (things you own are worth less than $2,000)
3. are U.S. Citizens and residents; and
4. meet certain other requirements.

You must meet one of the first requirements and all of the second set of requirements to be eligible for SSI. If you have any questions regarding these requirements please contact us and one of our MN disability lawyers can help answer any of your questions.

Where do I complete my SSI Application?
A Minnesota SSI Application must be completed at your local Social Security office or over the phone. You cannot apply for SSI online. Prior to applying for SSI, it is best to set up an appointment to come into your local Social Security office to complete the SSI application, or to set up a telephone application appointment. You can call 1-800-772-1213 to do this. If you have any questions regarding Minnesota disability law please contact us for a free consultation.

What information does the SSI Application request?
An SSI Application requests detailed information about your background, including your full name, date and place of birth, information about your current and past marriages, information about your current work if any, military service information, information about the names and ages of your children, if you are entitled to a pension or annuity, and a description of your illness, injuries, or conditions that limit your ability to work.

What else must I do to complete my SSI Application?
In addition to filling out the SSI Application, you must complete a form called a “Disability Report & Work History Report.” You can complete this report at the time you apply if you apply in person at your local Minnesota Social Security Office, or you can complete it online prior to visiting your local Social Security Office. If you wish to complete the form online, go to www.socialsecurity.gov, click on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then “How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI),” and then “Adult Disability Report.” By completing this report online prior to completing the SSI Application at your local Social Security office, it saves a significant amount of time for you and the Social Security staff during your appointment. If you are unable to complete the report because you do not have enough information, it will help prepare you for the SSI Application by telling you what information you need.

Applying for Minnesota SSDI benefits can be a complicated process if you are not prepared. Being informed about the process can ease your level of tension. It is helpful to know that there are several different ways to apply for SSDI benefits, but all involve submitting the same forms.

Forms to complete:

• Application for Disability Insurance Benefits
To initiate a claim for disability benefits, you must submit and application. This can be done online, or a Social Security representative can complete the application with you at your local office. It is best to call your local Social Security office to make an appointment to come in and apply.

• Disability & Work History Report
After completing the Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, you must complete a document called a “Disability & Work History Report.” This form can be completed online immediately after completing the application. It asks for information regarding your medical conditions, education, jobs you have had over the previous 15 years, and the names and addressed of doctors and hospitals where you have treated for your conditions. A Social Security representative can complete this with you if you are applying for SSDI at your local office.

• Medical Authorization
After you have completed the Application for Disability Insurance Benefits and Disability & Work History Report, you will have to sign an authorization so that Social Security can obtain your medical records to verify your conditions. You can print this off the Internet and mail it to your local office, or sign it at your local office after applying for SSDI.

Ways to apply for disability benefits:

• Applying for SSDI Online
Applying for SSDI benefits online can be the easiest way for people who have access to the Internet and computer knowledge. The application is located at www.ssa.gov. Simply click on “Applying for Disability Benefits” to begin. If you would like someone to assist you with your online application, that is permitted. The person can also complete the application without you being present, and when it is complete, a representative from Social Security will mail you a paper copy of the completed online application. You must sign this and mail it back to Social Security. If you need help with the application process or have questions regarding Minnesota disability law please don’t hesitate to contact us.

• Applying for SSDI in Person
People who wish to apply for disability benefits in person should visit their local Social Security Administration office. The closest Social Security office can be found in the government pages of your local phone book and through the Social Security’s website at www.ssa.gov. Most Social Security offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You should call your office to make an appointment prior to coming in and applying for SSDI. If you have any questions regarding applying for disability benefits please contact us and one of our Minneapolis disability lawyers can help answer your questions.

Minnesota Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI” for short) offers benefits for disabled individuals. These SSDI disability benefits are available for people who have paid Social Security taxes and worked long enough, and recent enough, before becoming disabled. Many people do not ever consider that they will become disabled; however, it is wise to be informed about these SSDI Disability Benefits should it ever occur.

Who is Eligible for SSDI Disability Benefits?

In order to be eligible for SSDI Disability Benefits, you must be “disabled” under Social Security’s rules, and have enough work credits.

• Disability Definition

Social Security Defines “Disability” a medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last at least one year, and that prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity, or a medical condition that is expected to result in death. This is a very strict definition of “disability” required by federal law.

Social Security also has a Listing of Impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify a person for SSDI. If your medical condition is listed on the Listing of Impairments, or meets a condition on this list, then you will be considered disabled. There are Listings for many different types of impairments and conditions. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding these listings. We provide Minnesota disability services throughout MN.

• Disability Work Credits

In general, to get SSDI disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:

1. A “recent work” test based on your age at the time you became disabled, which generally requires that people have worked five out of the 10 yeas before they become disable; and
2. A “duration of work” test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security’s rules, which generally requires that you have an average of six years of work if you are between ages 30 and 60. People ages 27 and younger need 1 ½ years of work. Certain blind workers have to meet only the “duration of work” test

What types of MN SSDI Disability Benefits are Available?

There are two main SSDI Minnesota Disability Benefits:

• Money Benefits
People who are approved for disability benefits will receive a check each month they are disabled. The amount depends on how much they have paid in Social Security taxes when they were working.

• Medical Benefits
People who are approved for Social Security Disability Benefits will receive Medicare automatically after they have received disability benefits for two years. Medicare is public health insurance that will pay for medical treatment.

We offer a free no-obligation consultation if you need help with a disability application or have been denied disability benefits. Our Minnesota disability lawyers are ready to help.

SSDI Minnesota Disability Benefits are available for some disabled individuals. These SSDI disability benefits are available for people who have paid Social Security taxes and worked long enough, and have worked recent enough, before becoming “disabled” under Social Security’s definition. In other words, people must meet the earnings tests and have a disability that meets Social Security’s definition to receive SSDI disability benefits.

• Disability Definition
Social Security defines “Disability” as a medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last at least one year, and that prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity, or a medical condition that is expected to result in death. This is a very strict definition of “disability” required by federal law for SSDI disability benefits.

Social Security also has a Listing of Impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify a person for SSDI Minnesota disability benefits. If your medical condition is listed on the Listing of Impairments, or meets a condition on this list, then you will be considered disabled. There are Listings for many different types of impairments and conditions. Our attorneys provide Minnesota disability services throughout the state of MN.

• Disability Work Credits
In general, to get SSDI disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:

1. A “recent work” test based on your age at the time you became disabled, which generally requires that people have worked five out of the 10 yeas before they become disable; and
2. A “duration of work” test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security’s rules, which generally requires that you have an average of six years of work if you are between ages 30 and 60. People ages 27 and younger need 1 ½ years of work. Certain blind workers have to meet only the “duration of work” test

Types of SSDI Disability Benefits:

• Money Benefits
People who are approved for SSDI disability benefits will receive a check each month they are disabled. The amount depends on how much they have paid in Social Security taxes when they were working.

• Medical Benefits
People who are approved for SSDI disability benefits will receive Medicare automatically after they have received SSDI disability benefits disability benefits for two years. Medicare is public health insurance that will pay for medical treatment.

Why apply for MN SSDI Benefits?
While working, you paid taxes into Social Security for the event that you would become disabled. Many people do not consider becoming disabled; however, when it happens, it is best to recoup the money you paid into the Social Security system. It is also important that you apply for SSDI disability benefits right away after becoming disabled so that your work credits are recent. Our MN disability lawyers offer a free no-obligation consultation if you need help with an SSDI application or appealing a denial.