What Disability Benefits are Available for People Over 50 in Pennsylvania?

Being an older citizen is difficult when you do not have the finances you need to support yourself. Many people do not have children or family to rely on to take care of them as they get older. This situation is made even more challenging when that older citizen has a disability. Fortunately, there are multiple benefit programs and support systems in place for older disabled people. Read on to learn more about the disability benefits available for people over 50 in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania disability attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for People Over 50 in Pennsylvania

SSDI is similar to ordinary Social Security because it is available only to people with a history of work and employment and who have paid into Social Security. However, ordinary social security is not available until you are of retirement age, usually around 65 or so. This type of assistance is exclusively for people with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from working. You do not have to be an older citizen or over the age of 50 to be eligible for SSDI. However, SSDI may be a viable option for people at least 50 years of age but younger than 65 who need assistance.

To be eligible for SSDI, you need to be an insured worker, meaning you must have worked in the past and paid into Social Security. You must also be disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration. Finally, you must be unemployed or at least not doing any significant work that would provide you with income. If you are struggling to obtain benefits, our Philadelphia disability lawyers can help.

Determining If You Have a Disability for SSDI Purposes in Pennsylvania

Before being approved for SSDI benefits with the help of our Levittown, PA disability attorney, you must first demonstrate that you are in fact disabled. It might feel unfair or even humiliating to have to prove you are disabled, but the government must make sure that the people who receive SSDI benefits are people that truly need them. Proving your disability will primarily involve sending your medical records and other medical documentation of your health condition.

First, you will need to send records from your doctors and any hospitals that have treated you. This will act as proof that you have a medical condition and that you have received treatment. These records should include documentation that is as recent as possible. This way, the Social Security Administration will know that your treatment is ongoing and your medical condition is not temporary. You should also send documentation of any prescriptions or medications you have. Any evidence of your disability and medical treatment will help prove your case and hopefully get you approved.

The Social Security Administration has a very long list of medical conditions that qualify as disabilities for SSDI. This list can be found in the Administration’s impairment listing manual, referred to as the “Blue Book.” This list includes, but is not limited to, medical conditions involving …

• The cardiovascular system
• The digestive system
• The endocrine system
• Genitourinary impairments
• Hematological disorders
• Immune system disorders
• Malignant neoplastic diseases
• Mental disorders
• Body system impairments
• The musculoskeletal system
• Neurological problems
• The respiratory system
• Skin disorders
• Senses and speech problems

If your disability falls under one of these categories of medical conditions, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits in Pennsylvania.

Who Approves or Denies Your SSDI Application in Pennsylvania?

After you send your application to the Social Security Administration and determine that you meet the criteria for disability and SSDI benefits, your application will be sent to Disability Determination Services for a final review. This is the department that has the final say as to whether or not you will receive SSDI benefits.

Disability Determination Services will review all the information you sent with your application, including your medical records. It is possible that more information will be needed before a final decision can be made. In that case, you could be asked to submit to another medical examination. The application process can be quite long, so you must be prepared to wait a while before receiving benefits. Our Philadelphia attorney for disability denials can help if your benefits application was denied.

Other Benefits for Disabled People Over 50 in Pennsylvania

Social Security benefits are ordinarily available to older citizens. Typically, people may begin collecting Social Security benefits when they reach retirement age. Depending on what year you were born, the retirement age may be as early as 65 but no later than 67 years of age. However, a disabled senior who is over 50 but still younger than 65 would not be eligible to collect these benefits. A few different types of Social Security programs cover people who are too young to collect social security but still need those benefits to live.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be claimed by people 65 years or older. However, it may also be claimed by people of any age who are disabled or blind. Additionally, SSI is meant for people with little to no income and limited resources or savings to support themselves. Disabled people over the age of 50 in Pennsylvania would be eligible to receive SSI.

There are other types of benefit and public assistance that are not related to social security. Instead of collecting money, recipients may take advantage of certain services to help them live happier and healthier lives. These programs can provide assistance in your home and resources like food when you cannot afford it. Some of these programs are not explicitly designated for disabled people over the age of 50, but many such people are perfect candidates for these programs.

Contact our PA Attorney for Disability Benefits for People Over 50

If you are an older adult in Pennsylvania who is 50 years old or older, you may qualify for certain assistance programs designed to make your life easier. Many of these programs are intended to help disabled seniors lead healthier, more independent lives. Contact the Bucks County disability attorneys Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 to schedule a free legal consultation with our team. We can help you find the assistance that is right for you.