Hello, my name is Susan Farris and my hobby is learning about the law. I have an uncle who is an attorney and I've always looked up to him and that's why I find subjects on law very interesting. Through speaking with my uncle and doing research on my own, I've learned about all the different fields of law. Each field of law centers on its own subject and most attorneys specialize in a certain area of law. These include criminal, personal injury, family, bankruptcy, criminal, immigration and business. I find each one of these fields very interesting and I have the utmost admiration for lawyers because they help people through their legal struggles. I wanted to share this information with others who have questions about the different types of attorneys and the law.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides workers with certain medical conditions a monthly benefit if they qualify. SSDI is a government-run program and is full of red tape, rules, and conditions and can generally be confusing to most people, but when you can't work, it stands as a valuable form of assistance. This form of assistance is not confined to citizens, which may surprise some. Read on to learn more about why SSDI is a benefit for an unexpected class of people.
It's Your Money
If you are too badly affected by your medical condition to work, you may find it difficult to ask for help. Most people feel proud of their ability to earn money to support themselves and their families and are loathe to accept what they believe to be charity.
SSDI funding, however, comes from you. Every paycheck you earn has a Social Security deduction on it, and this money is put aside for not only a medical condition but for your eventual retirement. You have paid for this benefit, so applying for benefits should be considered making a withdrawal from an account you have already paid into your entire life.
Non-Citizens and SSDI
It is not only US citizens who have paid Social Security taxes, however. Some non-citizens have had those deductions made from their paychecks as well and stand on a level playing field with any other citizen worker. The main deciding factors on SSDI eligibility are your medical condition and the amount of money you have made in the last few years. If you otherwise qualify and meet those two conditions for benefits, then citizenship is not a bar to getting approved.
Exceptions to the Rule
The relationship between certain countries and the US, however, impose some politically-motivated exceptions. If you are living in one of the following countries you cannot qualify for Social Security benefits:
Immigrants and Lawfully Present People
You must retain certain statuses to be eligible for benefits; you cannot qualify if you are here unlawfully. To prove that you are here lawfully, you should be able to meet at least one of these conditions:
1. You are in possession of a lawful immigrant visa
2. You have been admitted as a refugee or your admission as a refugee is at least conditional
3. You have a pending or approved admission under asylum status
4. You are here temporarily using a non-immigrant visa
5. You have been admitted using public safety or humanitarian protocol
6. You have been battered or subjected to cruelty while in the US (this primarily concerns protection for domestic workers who may have been mistreated).
When you consider that the US military readily employs non-citizen soldiers to fight for the country, you may begin to understand why a non-citizen could qualify for SSDI benefits. If you have been denied for any reason, speak to your local social security lawyers.
Share7 May 2018
