Cook County Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney

Lawyer for SSDI Financial Requirements in Chicago

To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must meet certain medical and non-medical requirements. Before your medical condition is considered, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews the technical requirements for qualification; including legal status and SSDI financial requirements. If you do not meet the legal or financial requirements for Social Security Disability benefits, the SSA issues a technical denial.

At Pearson Disability Law, LLC, we have helped thousands of individuals in the Chicagoland area and throughout Illinois become approved for Social Security Disability benefits. Managing attorney Jonathan L. Pearson has devoted his entire legal career to the singular mission of helping those who have been denied benefits or are having difficulty with the application process. Mr. Pearson puts his experience to work to thoroughly examine the specific circumstances of each client to determine if they meet the medical, legal and financial requirements for SSDI. He handles each case personally and works solely on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if he wins your case.

There are two main financial requirements that must be met to qualify for SSDI:

• You must earn below the SSA threshold for substantial gainful activity (SGA); and
• You must have enough work credits to be considered fully insured.

Income Limits for SSDI

Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there is no limit on the amount of assets you (or your spouse) are allowed to own or the amount of unearned income you receive. However, there is a limit on the amount of money you are able to earn through gainful activity. In particular, if the SSA deems that you are engaged in substantial gainful activity, you are not eligible for SSDI. The monthly earned income threshold for SGA is adjusted each year, and in 2022, this amount is $1,350 or $2,260 for those who are blind.

SSDI Program Cost of Living Adjustments

SSDI program cost of living adjustment (COLA) information

Work Credits and Fully Insured Status

SSDI is an insurance program funded through payroll tax deductions. As such, in order to qualify for benefits, you must have worked enough during the years prior to your debilitating illness or injury to be considered fully insured. To determine eligibility, the SSA converts your time worked into work credits; one quarter of work is equal to one work credit. In general, if you are an adult between ages 21 and 31, you must have worked at least half of the quarters since you turned 21.

At age 31 and above, you must have worked at least 5 of the past 10 years and meet the following requirements:

• Age 31 through 42: 5 or more years worked for 20 or more work credits;
• Age 44: 5.5 or more years worked for 22 or more work credits;
• Age 46: 6 or more years worked for 24 or more work credits;
• Age 48: 6.5 or more years worked for 26 or more work credits;
• Age 50: 7 or more years worked for 28 or more work credits;
• Age 52: 7.5 or more years worked for 30 or more work credits;
• Age 54: 8 or more years worked for 32 or more work credits;
• Age 56: 8.5 or more years worked for 34 or more work credits;
• Age 58: 9 or more years worked for 36 or more work credits;
• Age 60: 9.5 or more years worked for 38 or more work credits; and
• Age 62 and above: 10 or more years worked for 40 or more work credits.

SSDI financial requirements can seem quite complicated and confusing. At Pearson Disability Law, LLC, we are here to help you sort through the confusion and determine your eligibility status for Social Security Disability benefits. For a free personalized consultation with Attorney Pearson, contact our office today at 312-999-0999.