Call (843) 604-5533
Get help now in Charleston
Get help now in Charleston

Complete this quick form to get help with your disability benefits.

    Secure Information

    Social Security has a lot of disability rules. Get your case evaluated — for free.

    Understanding Columbia’s Social Security Disability Requirements

    Even though you can’t work, that alone doesn’t mean you’ll win Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a big government agency that uses a complex system to determine who deserves benefits. You’ll only win benefits if you meet the SSA’s strict definition of “disabled.”

    Let Columbia Social Security Disability attorney Robertson Wendt help you determine if you do. Contact our office to discuss your disability case.

    Social Security has a lot of disability rules. Get your case evaluated — for free.
    South Carolina women happy after qualifying for Social Security disability benefits

    Am I Eligible for Social Security?

    The two main types of Social Security benefits are SSDI and SSI.

    SSDI

    The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to you if you meet three criteria:

    1. You are disabled,
    2. As of the date you became disabled, you must have worked under Social Security at least five of the last 10 years, and
    3. You have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes.

    SSI

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to you if you meet certain criteria:

    1. You are disabled, and
    2. You meet the financial qualifications (you don’t have too much income or too many assets).
    3. You haven’t earned enough work credits or paid enough Social Security taxes, or your SSDI benefit is very low.

    We generally don’t handle cases for SSI benefits — only when there is no SSDI — but call us for more information. The other disability claims include:

    • Disabled Adult Child (DAC)
      Disability benefits for one who became disabled before age 22 and is the child of a deceased, disabled or retired worker.
    • Disabled Widow/Widower
      Disability benefits for those eligible for benefits on the work record of a deceased spouse if you are 50 years or older, became disabled within 7 years of your spouse’s death and your deceased spouse earned enough work credits.
    • Disabled Child SSI (Under 18)
      We do not handle SSI disabled child’s claims, but can help point you in the right direction if you need help.
    South Carolina men qualified for Social Security disability South Carolina man qualifies for Social Security disability

    What Does Being “Disabled” Mean?

    Under Social Security’s rules, you’re only determined to be disabled if a physical or mental condition is expected to keep you from work for 12 months (or result in death). Your disability can be physical, mental, or a combination of conditions.

    If you can’t work, it’s important that you keep regular medical appointments and get enough documentation to prove your case to Social Security.

    For the most part, Social Security considers you disabled if:

    • You can no longer do work you’ve done before;
    • You won’t be able to adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
    • Your disability has lasted or will last 12 months (or result in death).

    Contact board-certified Social Security Disability attorney Robertson Wendt for help with your Social Security Disability case.

    Skip to content