Applying For Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits As You Approach Retirement Age
To demonstrate your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you are normally expected to demonstrate that you:
- Have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain number of years, depending on your age
- Are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability, which may have come about through any injury, illness or chronic condition
Technically speaking, there are no rules giving preference to SSDI applications from older people. However, in practical terms, it often turns out that people who are 50 years old and older and may qualify for SSDI benefits are more likely to be approved than younger people with similar disabilities.
To discuss your likelihood of approval for SSDI benefit in Ohio, contact me, attorney John E. Mahin, in Cincinnati.
How Do Older Applicants’ Situations Differ?
Reasons for higher approval statistics among older adults who apply for SSDI benefits may include the following:
- By the age of 50, multiple conditions have often become disabling. For example, a respiratory ailment, an ambulatory ailment and fading eyesight may all be present. Perhaps none of these conditions is fully disabling on its own, but the sum total of partial disabilities amounts to disability overall.
- An older person may not have the time or resources to undertake vocational rehabilitation to the same degree that a young adult can. Simply put, you may be running out of time when it comes to education-based opportunities for recovery of your earning power.
No matter what explanation you have to offer an SSDI hearing officer, it can give your case a great advantage if you work with a knowledgeable disability lawyer. I am attorney John E. Mahin, and I have helped many clients obtain SSDI benefits, workers’ compensation benefits and payouts from personal injury claims after they acquired disabilities.
Disabled As An Older Adult? Schedule A Free Consultation.
If you are unable to work and expect to remain out of circulation for a year or longer, I welcome the opportunity to help you improve your chances of approval for SSDI benefits, regardless of your age.
Contact me by calling 513-640-2633 or sending an email inquiry.