Age is not just a number when it comes to filing a Social Security Disability Claim. An applicant’s age has an impact on several areas of the SSD application process. These are as follows:
Disabled Minors: Individuals under the age of 18 are slightly more limited in regard to the type of benefits that are available to them. Because SSDI is based on employment history, younger applicants do not typically qualify because they haven’t had the chance to earn a living or pay Social Security taxes. Therefore, SSI is often the best benefit option for disabled minors. Also, a person’s age also causes slight differences in the actual application process. Children under the age of 18 are required to participate in an interview with an SSA representative—adults are not.
If a child is receiving SSI on his or her own record, they will technically become an adult at age 18. At that time, the SSA will conduct a review to determine whether or not the individual meets the adult standards for disability rather than the childhood standards.
SSDI Auxiliary Benefits: In some cases, SSDI auxiliary benefits are available to the children of adult SSDI recipients. Age is an issue because children are only eligible if they meet one of the following criteria:
- They are under the age of 18
- They are 18-19 years old and are still a full-time student (grade 12 or less)
- They are 18 or older and became disabled before the age of 22 (known as an adult child)
Work Credits: The SSA evaluates an individual’s employment history in terms of “work credits”. To qualify for SSDI, an applicant must have accumulated a specific amount of work credits. An applicant’s age at which he or she became disabled determines how many work credits they need.
Residual Functional Capacity: For both SSI and SSDI benefits, the SSA will evaluate the effects of your condition on your ability to work. After doing so, they will attempt to determine what you are still capable of doing using something called your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). Your RFC measures your capabilities to determine whether or not you can be retrained to do different types of work. RFC looks at your education, training, skills, and also your age. Typically the younger a person is, the more likely they are to have the ability to learn new skills and adjust to different types of work. The older a person is, the more likely it is that they will not be able to learn new skills or adjust to different types of work. If it is determined that a person can learn how to do a new job, it is likely that their claim for disability benefits will be denied.
Full Retirement Age: If you become disabled at full retirement age (age 67 for those born in 1960 and later), you will not need to apply for SSD benefits, nor can you qualify for them. If you are already receiving SSDI before full retirement age, your disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age. Beginning the month you reach retirement age, you will no longer have limits on the amount of money you can earn.
Let our experienced attorneys help
If you are considering applying for social security benefits, or if you’ve already been denied, it is best to consult with an experienced SSD attorney. We at Kalfus Nachman can assist with all aspects of the Social Security process. We can determine whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, which are the most common, or if you qualify for the less common Supplemental Security Income benefits. Whether this is your first time applying for disability benefits or you are already appealing a previously denied claim, we can assist you in putting together your application. We have done this for numerous applicants like you over the years, successfully enabling them to receive the benefits they need and deserve. Your disability application may involve deadlines, so please don’t hesitate to talk to us as soon as possible. Your consultation with us is free.
