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My Social Security disability claim was rejected, unfortunately...

What's a way to get SSDI (I think that's the acronym)?

I thought I had it. I put in 10 disabilities which I had and I wasn't lying about any of them. I would honestly never commit fraud, despite my circumstances, and never intend to.

But they said that I "didn't work enough hours."

I'm not sure how to make it go to my credit (Social Security credits, that is).

How many jobs or hours should you work?

I can also give you all the full message through a DM, perhaps.

I've worked, I think, eight jobs in total in the last decade with one year that I wasn't working (during the pandemic). Frankly, I could use the money; I'm trying to get into nursing school, though am getting my CNA first. And I need a car now. I have a Bachelor's degree in Communications, but want to change my career path for the time being.

To be fair, I didn't put all my work experience and there's more that I could put.

Is there a way to keep track of all the credits you have? Or "input" them or however you're supposed to do factor them into the system?

Also, assuming you get disability assistance from Social Security Administration, what's a good way to phrase or say certain things in the application process?

Do help out if you can. Thanks!

11 comments
  • My spouse who is asleep knows a lot more about this, but off the dome:

    Social Security retirement benefits are an entirely different system than social security disability insurance. SSDI shouldn't be dependent on hours worked, but on disability status.

    A few things to note about SSDI: there are very stringent income limits while on it. You will be severely constrained in your living standards. What you get isn't really adjusted for local cost of living, so you may be alright, or you may struggle to pay rent and eat.

    Initial rejections are the norm. It generally takes two years to go through the appeal, rejection, re-appeal cycle. A good disability lawyer will smooth this out but the time frame is not going to shrink to less than a year. I would not depend on this for a car or school.

    If you are unable to work enough to support yourself, I think it's worth pursuing, but SSDI is designed to keep people from using it as a stepping stone to better circumstances.

    Wish I had better news/advice. Good luck, comrade!

    • SO I've done the wrong one, then...

      I should be going for disability assistance (SSDI), NOT SSI (which is what I think I was doing.

      Okay, knowing what you've told me, I'll probably forego taking SSDI.

      Thanks!

11 comments