Can My Age Affect Approval for Social Security Disability?

Although many people do not want to think about the possibility of having a disability, the truth is that a disability can happen at any time. In fact, even very young workers (18 - 49 years old) could develop a disability due to congenital conditions or after having suffered an accident at work. That is, long before reaching full retirement age.

The Social Security Administration provides disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.

Is my age an important factor for Social Security disability?

Social Security disability benefits are exclusive for people who cannot work. The cause must be a medical condition that lasts at least one year or may result in death.

Social Security has established rules regarding the amount of time you must have worked to meet the work requirement (see the article on Social Security credits). These rules are based on calendar quarters to determine if you have met the necessary credits.

Before delving into the issue of age, to receive disability benefits you must primarily meet a technical requirement: proof of the length of time you have worked. You must prove that you have worked for a sufficient period of time and have paid taxes under Social Security.

Upon obtaining this information, they will proceed with benefit eligibility, and that is when Social Security considers the age of the applicant:

24 years or younger: For a person who is 24 years old or younger, the work requirement is 6 credits in the last 3 years.

From 24 to 31 years: Between 24 and 31 years, it is necessary to have worked at least half of the time from the age of 21 until the moment the disability arose.

Age 32 and older: 5 of the last 10 years of work covered under Social Security are required. This is because Social Security disability benefits will replace a portion of what you earned at your job before you became disabled.

Does my age affect the approval of disability benefits?

Social Security has very strict rules for approving disability benefits. Thus, you must have a severe condition so that your application is not denied. Now, you may be wondering if your age can affect whether you are approved for Social Security disability. The truth is that this program uses medical-vocational rules depending on the age of the applicant:

From 18 to 49 years: People in this age range are considered young. So it is the most difficult group to qualify. If you are this age, consider that Social Security will be very strict with you. Additionally, your medical condition must appear on the disability list and be very severe. At Fuentes & Fuentes we will evaluate your case and tell you if your case may have a chance.

From 50 to 54 years old: This is the group that is reaching advanced age, and is viewed by Social Security with less rigor. The program will pay attention to both the residual strength that the person has, as well as possible skills transferable to other jobs. Remember that it is not only not being able to do your previous job, but eliminating any other jobs in the national or local economy.

Age 55 or older: As it is the older age group, Social Security is more flexible. This does not mean that the case is automatically approved. Although the agency is flexible in considering cases with applicants age 55 or older, many of these cases are initially denied. At Fuentes & Fuentes we are here to help you.

In all cases, Social Security takes into account the type of work the person has done and the level of education they have.

From 62 years of age and older: This is the retirement age range. Retirement benefits can be requested while waiting for a response from the approval of disability benefits, because the latter takes longer. If disability benefits are approved, the change must be made to receive the higher amount. It is important to add that Social Security does not pay two benefits at the same time. Typically, disability benefits are greater than age retirement benefits.

What do I do if my age affects disability approval?

The Social Security Administration will take as much time as it deems necessary to evaluate your application for disability benefits. Your age and length of employment will be taken into account to determine if you may be eligible.

Regardless of the age range you are in, in Fuentes & Fuentes we are here to serve you. Our goal is to be able to guide you and help you meet all the requirements to obtain approval for benefits regardless of your age. If the case is meritorious, we will help you.

Contact us now, and remember, we do not charge fees until your case has been approved.