Disability Lawyers in Mount Airy

Social Security Disability (SSDI) 

A federal insurance program designed to help people who are no longer able to work because of one or more severe medical conditions.

Disabled workers are eligible to apply for SSDI if they have earned enough wages over the past 10 years.  

To be “fully insured” for purposes of eligibility, a worker must be credited with at least 20 quarters of earnings in the past 10 years, or 40 quarters.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A financial need-based program that pays monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.

Residents of North Carolina who get SSI can also get Medicaid to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs and other health costs

Childhood SSI

To be eligible for SSI benefits, a child must be either blind or disabled and is under 18 (or under 22 years old if regularly attending school)

A child may be eligible for SSI disability benefits beginning as early as the date of birth.

A child with a visual impairment may be eligible for SSI benefits based on blindness if the impairment meets the definition of blindness 

Disabled Widow’s Benefits

If a disabled person passes away while receiving social security benefits, the surviving spouse may be eligible to continue to receive those benefits if:

• They are at between 50 and 60 years old
• have been married to the deceased spouse for at least 9 months immediately prior to the day their spouse died
• Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on their own work.