Some financial advisers say one in four workers nationwide, including Florida, will be unable to continue working by age 67 — due to disabilities. Fortunately, the Social Security Disability Insurance system is there to help. The program provides financial relief by replacing some of the lost income of those whose medical conditions prevent them from earning an income.
During a person’s working years, he or she pays taxes that fund the Social Security Disability Insurance program. 6.2% of an employee’s earnings are collected while the employer pays an equal amount of each employee’s wages into Social Security. For anyone to be eligible for disability benefits, he or she must have contributed Social Security for five of the 10 years preceding the injury or illness that caused the disability. However, exceptions exist in cases in which the victims are new to the workforce and not meeting that requirement.
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act oversees these taxes. The Social Security Administration data shows that the average amount of SSDI benefits paid per person in March this year was $1234.74. However, the contributions through FICA are not the only factors that determine eligibility. The type of injury or condition and its cause will also be considered when an application is evaluated for eligibility.
Dealing with disabilities and the inability to earn an income can be overwhelming, especially when the victim has unanswered questions about Social Security Disability Insurance. It might be a good idea to consult with an experienced Florida attorney who can provide answers and explain the process. Legal counsel can also be an invaluable asset throughout the process of claiming and obtaining maximum allowed SSDI benefits.