What Are the Criteria for SSDI Benefits in Pennsylvania?

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Good employers look after their employees, even after they can no longer work for the company in their previous role due to a disability. Are you a Pennsylvania employer who is advising a current or former employee with a disability who is hoping to return to work eventually? Then read on for some advice on SSDI benefits.

Pennsylvania’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is designed to deliver financial support to people who have a recognized disability if their condition prevents them from doing any substantial work. However, this isn’t the only criterion employees need to meet in order to receive SSDI payments.

The Main Criteria for Disability Benefits

More than 379,000 people in Pennsylvania receive these payments. The main criteria for obtaining SSDI support is based on three key factors:

How Long Is Their Medical Condition Likely to Last?

To qualify for SSDI support, the medical condition(s) causing an employee’s disability must have lasted or be expected to last for at least one year or result in death. They won’t be able to claim SSDI payments if they’re suffering a temporary disability. Instead, the SSDI program is aimed at people who are experiencing long-term or chronic conditions.

How Does Their Medical Condition Affect Them?

Roughly 6 in 10 Americans have a chronic medical condition. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unable to work. To be eligible for SSDI payments, an employee will need to show how their disability prevents them from undertaking substantial work. This may mean that they are unable to work at all. Or it may mean that their disability impairs their ability to undertake certain roles or tasks.

Are They an Insured Worker?

To claim disability benefits, they will need to show that they paid Social Security taxes while working, before their disability. The amount of Social Security tax an individual pays is dependent on their income. However, they’ll earn a credit based on the contributions they have made throughout their career.

When an employee makes a claim for SSDI in Pennsylvania, their eligibility criteria will be based on their age. This is because older employees will have been of working age for a longer period of time. Therefore, they have had more opportunities to contribute to the system.

How Does Pennsylvania Assess an SSDI Claim?

Workers make more than 145,000 disability claims each year in Pennsylvania. However, the system isn’t always straightforward. In fact, the state approves only 39% of claims following an initial submission.

To successfully obtain SSDI payments, an employee will need to prove eligibility. They will also need to adhere to the procedural requirements set out by the state. Additionally, they may need to attend a consultative exam.

Sadly, many people who qualify for SSDI support don’t proceed with a claim. Mainly, this is because they assume that they won’t be eligible or because the claims process seems too complex. However, as their employer, you can remind workers they don’t need to deal with their SSDI claim alone.

Getting Help from an SSDI Lawyer in Pennsylvania

Seeking advice from a Pennsylvania SSDI lawyer can streamline and simplify the claims process. With extensive experience in making claims on behalf of individuals, an SSDI attorney will be familiar with the procedural requirements. Such an attorney will be sure to present the appropriate evidence to support their claim.

If they have already tried to make a claim for these payments and it has been denied, there’s no need to panic. The right lawyer can help them to make an appeal. They attorney can request a review of the decision. With a 50% approval hearing rate, appealing a Pennsylvania SSDI decision can be beneficial. Often, this enables people to obtain the financial support they’re entitled to under the SSDI program. This can give them peace of mind.