How to Qualify for Rsdi Benefits

RSDI stands for three programs administered by the US Social Security Administration – Retirement, Survivors and Disability insurance. Taken together, it is the largest insurance program in the country.


Overview

From its name, the program provides monetary benefits for those who:

1.    have retired from employment

2.    are the surviving spouse or dependents of the deceased employee

3.    have suffered disability or death of a family provider

The programs have become part of our lives for more than 70 years now, covering nearly 96% of all occupations in the US. RSDI continues to provide economic security for retirees, disabled and survivors until today.

Now around 164 million workers have received Social Security protection and about 50 million people have been RSDI recipients.


Retirement

To be eligible for retirement benefits, a worker born in 1929 onwards must have 10 years of work. For those who are born before that year, they need fewer years of work.

For those who has stopped working, the equivalent earned credits for number of years worked remain in the Social Security record. The credits can be added on upon returning to work to qualify for retirement benefits.


Disability

Eligibility and the amount of disability benefits vary depending on the age of the worker and the time when he becomes disabled.

If the disability occurs before the age of 24, the worker generally must have worked for 1 ½ years in three years before the date of disability.

For those who belong to age bracket of 24 and 30, the worker needs credits for half of the time between age 21 and the time he became disabled.

If the disability however occurs at the age of 31 or older, the worker generally must have at least worked for 5 years in the 10 years immediately following the date he becomes disabled.


Survivor benefits

This benefit is given to certain family members of a deceased person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes.

Depending on the age of a person at a time of death, up to 10 years of work is generally needed in order that his survivors may be eligible for benefits. On the other hand, a young worker needs at least 1 ½ years of work during the three years before his death.

Social Security survivor benefits can also be paid to the following:

•    A widow or widower – full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60

•    A disabled widow or widower – as early as age 50

•    A widow or widower of any age who takes care of the deceased’s child who is younger than age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits

•    Divorced spouses under certain conditions

•    Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they attend elementary or secondary school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children

•    Children who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled

•    Dependent parents age 62 or older


For any concerns on retirement, survivor or disability insurance, visit our  website to know how our Los Angeles lawyers can help you in pursuing your Social Security benefits.