You Don't Need To Be Over 50 To Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits

{Read in 3:30 minutes} While some Social Security Disability cases are harder than others to win, we find that it is often the toughest ones that are the most rewarding. We recently had such a case, in which we met a young man who was only is his mid 20s and yet badly in need of help.

It is extremely difficult to show that a person this young qualifies for Social Security Insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because the presumption is that people in this age bracket will be healthy and capable enough to find steady work. But as this case shows, this unfair presumption can be overcome.

This young man had a serious medical condition which caused him to experience uncontrollable epileptic seizures. Everywhere he worked, this condition caused his employers to worry about his safety and the safety of co-workers around him. He had trouble holding any job for long. At times, he even found himself homeless due to his inability to get steady work. He gave up on any real future and tended to stop taking his anti-seizure medication.

After meeting this young man, I reviewed his medical files and realized that despite his age, he had a strong case to receive SSI. We began the process of encouraging him to take his medication and see his doctors regularly to document his condition and attempt to treat it. It took time and perseverance, but by using his medical records and his testimony, we were able to persuade the administrative judge that this young man was in fact qualified to receive SSI benefits.

Since that time, we have noticed a big change in his attitude. He seems more hopeful, and we hope that his condition will improve as he receives medical treatment regularly. He checks in with me often to let me know how he is doing.

While most people assume that it is only people in their 50s and older that can qualify for SSDI or SSI, this story shows that assumption is wrong. A person of any age who cannot keep a job due to a medical condition can qualify, and we are here to help these people prove their case and see to it that they get the benefits they need.

Do you know anyone with a long-term disability who deserves Social Security Disability benefits? 

Anselmo A. Alegria
aaa@alegriabarovicklaw.com
alegriabarovicklaw.com
914-761-1133