Re: Asking for disability...another question to Kris

[Guest guest]

Kris wrote:

> Ok, here goes, how long does one have to work to be eligible for SSDI

benefits? I haven't worked in the last 11 years, (been a stay at-home mom),

but I was wondering if I could ask for some sort of benefits since I am NOW

unable to hold a job because of the CO, SOD, narcotics, etc...

Kris,

The instructions on my 2002 Social Security Earnings Statement from the

government says that I was elegible for benefits, and went on to state that " to

get benefits if you become disabled right now, you need 31 credits of work,

and 20 of these have to be earned in the last 10 years. " In the statement that

was sent to me dated 2004, it said that because I had not showed earnings for

2002 and 2003, I was not elegible for benefits. This, of course, was

automatically sent without their knowledge that I had already applied for

benefits in 2002 and was still in the waiting process, nearly two years later.

Apparently you do have to work to within a certain time frame of when you

apply for disability benefits. If they say a two year lag disqualifies one from

applying, I imagine a ten year lag would be well over the limit.

BTW, my earnings began in 1965, and continued until 2001.....that's 35 years!

I did take some time off during a few years to raise my children, but had

worked full time during the ten years prior to when my disability began,

obviously, as was noted in the 2002 statement that said I was elegible for

benefits. I just don't see how the Judge could rule against me, but stranger

things have happened, haven't they?

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

http://pancassociation.org/anthology.htm#Heidi

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.