How is Eligibility Determined for SSD in Nevada?

How is eligibility determined for SSD in Nevada? Eligibility for Social Security Disability in Nevada is determined based on your work history, including how long you worked and contributed to Social Security, as well as the type of injury or illness you have that makes you unable to continue to work. 

Those with long-term medical complications, impairments, or conditions that prevent them from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity are more likely to receive SSD approval.

Numerous other factors contribute to this process, which is why you should speak with an experienced Las Vegas Social Security disability lawyer.

Work Credits for SSD in Nevada

Social Security disability services provide monthly financial benefits to millions of Americans with severe disabilities. If you are interested in applying for disability benefits, it is best to first understand some key terms associated with them.

One of the most important factors in qualifying for SSD is demonstrating that you have contributed enough to Social Security during your working life. Your work history is expressed in work credits, typically requiring 40 credits overall, with at least 20 of those earned in the last 10 years.

You can earn four work credits per year, with one credit earned for every $1,890 in earnings for that year. In situations where you are under the age of 24 when disabled, you need six credits in the three years before your disability to meet the work credit eligibility requirement. Note that this is one of several factors to determine eligibility for SSD. There are other requirements that must be met to qualify.

You Can Check the Number of Credits You Have

If you are unsure how many work credits you have, you can verify this by creating an account on the Social Security website if you do not already have one.

You can then view your Social Security Statement online to see how many credits you have. Your SSD lawyer in Nevada can also help you obtain information about work credit eligibility.

How Eligibility for SSD Occurs

After a person submits their initial disability application, their case will be reviewed step by step using Social Security’s Five-Step Sequential Evaluation. This process helps standardize the review and enables the government to determine the severity of your case. If a person is found to be disabled (or not disabled) at a step, the process stops, and a case decision is made. The simplified steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Is the individual engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)? For those whose countable income exceeds $1,690 for non-blind individuals or $2,830 for legally blind individuals*, the individual is considered to be “engaging in SGA” and is ineligible for disability benefits.
• Step 2: Is the individual’s physical and/or mental condition severe? A person whose condition is a) severe enough to prevent work, and b) is expected to last longer than 12 months or result in death, is considered disabled.
• Step 3: Does the individual’s medical condition meet or equal the severity of a listing? To determine this, reviewers compare an applicant’s diagnosis to that condition’s listing in the Social Security Blue Book (which you can find online at any time).
• Step 4: Can an individual do any of his/her past relevant work? Those who show an inability to function well enough or safely enough to work qualify here as severely disabled.
• Step 5: Can the individual adjust to any other work? If a person’s condition, age, education, and work experience are found to disqualify them from any other work, they are found to be disabled.

All of these factors are critical steps in determining if SSD can be provided to you. If you are unsure that you meet any of these requirements, or you believe that you are lacking in any area, reach out to an SSD lawyer in Nevada who can help you determine what your benefits really should be or what steps you must take to prove you are eligible. 

The Process of Determining Eligibility for SSD in Nevada

If you have an injury or illness that prevents you from working, and it will continue to prevent you from doing so, you may be eligible to apply for SSD benefits in Nevada.

We encourage you to reach out to our SSD attorney because of the very strict parameters and requirements of this application process. This is what the process for determining and receiving SSD will include:

• Submit a formal application with your SSD attorney. You must submit all required documentation, including doctor statements and specific documents based on your condition. The case will then be assigned to a party at the Nevada Bureau of Disability Adjudication.
• Complete a medical review. The examiners will review the submitted medical records. They will look at your employment history and other factors to determine if you meet the impairment requirements established by the agency for the condition you have.
• Complete an evaluation. The agency will then evaluate this information to determine if you can perform your past work or if you can adjust in some way and do other work that could meet your financial needs.
• A decision is sent to you. To be clear, most people receive a denial before receiving approval for SSD, especially if they are not working with an attorney.

If you are approaching this process, we strongly encourage you to speak with our SSD attorney in Nevada before moving forward with the application.

Anything you say or contribute, or fail to provide, can play a role in your eligibility. Use our tool to determine how likely your application is to be approved.

How to Get Help for Eligibility for SSD in Nevada

Understanding this 5-step sequential evaluation is crucial for applicants navigating the complex landscape of Social Security disability benefits. 

It not only clarifies the evaluation process but also empowers individuals to understand the criteria that determine their eligibility for much-needed financial assistance.  If you need help navigating through the process, contact Shook & Stone for an obligation-free case assessment.