Social Security Disability: Immigrant Edition

An immigrant can qualify for SSDI benefits if they meet the quarters of coverage (QC), which is $1,640 in 2023. If you want to receive benefits based on this, your Social Security Number (SSN) must be valid for work purposes.

The good news is that the SSDI program does not lump legal immigrants into Qualified and Not Qualified categories. If you have trouble understanding the legal jargon, it is better to hire a social security disability lawyer in Little Rock.

All that is required from you is your legal status. You should be lawfully present in the US. Meaning: As an immigrant, you must have a valid SSN, which the DHS approves, and you have not violated any terms of admission after coming to the US.

Qualifying Work Credits

The work credits required to qualify for SSDI depend on your age and how long ago your disability began. For example, if it has been a year and you have been unable to work, you are eligible for the benefits.

The average number of work credits you need is 40. Half of these must have been earned in the past ten years before your disability began. If you are young, you might be able to qualify with fewer work credits. To ensure your case is not rejected, a Social Security disability attorney in Little Rock, AR, requires you to submit accurate documents.

Currently, the maximum SSDI benefit is $3,627 monthly, which is $282 more than what was given in 2022. This benefit is similar to the Social Security benefit, which is given at the time of retirement (67 years of age) for those born after 1959.

One reason qualifying candidates receive the maximum benefit is that their disability already puts them in the retirement category.

Meeting the SSDI Program Earning Requirements

To get the disability benefits, you need to meet the following earning tests:

1. A work test based on your age and the time when you developed a disability

2. A work test with the right duration showing that you worked under Social Security for a specific period

If you are blind, you only need to meet the work test’s duration.

Even if you are not a US citizen, you can qualify for the benefits based on your military service. As long as you meet the definition of disability described by SSA, you will receive your benefits.

In conclusion, the disability benefits given to legal US citizens and immigrants are the same as long as they meet the required work hours.

If you are having trouble filing your SSDI claim, contact a Social Security disability lawyer in Little Rock to discuss your case. The Law Offices of Lisa Douglas can help you with this. Their certified attorneys have worked on dozens of SSDI cases and can help you get your benefits. We understand that hiring a lawyer can be nerve-wracking, which is why we offer a free consultation. For more information, call 501-798-0004.

 

 

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