How to claim SSDI after 50

People over 50 years of age should know that they face special requirements when seeking DIB benefits.

Everyone who decides to file for federal disability benefits must meet certain eligibility requirements. For instance, they must show that they have a condition which is recognized by Social Security as a form of disability, that they are unable to work in any field due to that disability, and that they financially need the benefit.

For people in Ypsilanti who are 50 years of age or older, there are special requirements, in addition to proving disability, that also must be met. It is important to know what these requirements are before filing a claim, in order to maximize the opportunity for a claim approval.

Special requirements for DIB after 50

Social Security manages all aspects of the DIB process. Their rules stipulate that people must have earned benefits through employment and through paying into the Social Security system, in order to receive Social Security Disability. People over the age of 50 must show that they have worked for at least five of the 10 years that immediately preceded the disability for which benefits are being sought.

On top of this employment requirement, people over 50 must provide a record of work over a specified minimum length of time. This duration extends six months for every two years of age, as follows:

  • Seven years of work is required for people who are 50 or 51 years old.
  • Seven and a half years of work is required for people who are 52 or 53 years old.
  • Eight years of work is required for people who are 54 or 55 years old.
  • Eight and a half years of work is required for people who are 56 or 57 years old.
  • Nine years of work is required for people who are 58 or 59 years old.

At age 60, the requirement goes up to nine and a half years of work. Social Security utilizes two different tests to determine the length of work that meets the criteria.

How many people receive DIB?

According to information provided by Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute, more than 8 percent of people in Michigan, between 16 and 64 years old, and who are disabled are not in the labor force. In Washtenaw County, that number is over 10 percent.

Social Security data shows that in 2012, the average age of SSD recipients was 53 and the average monthly benefit was slightly less than $1,135. Of all people who received Social Security Disability that year, 87.5 percent were disabled employees directly.

Important notes for disabled workers

Filing a claim for disability benefits can be a cumbersome process. Detailed information about medical conditions and employment history must be provided. People needing these important benefits are encouraged to work with an attorney for the best possible outcomes.