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3 criteria you need to meet to receive SSDI benefits

On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • July 30, 2021

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a crucial benefit for working individuals who suffer serious injuries or develop disabling medical conditions. SSDI benefits will help you cover your living expenses when you can no longer work because of your health.



However, only certain people actually qualify for these benefits. Determining whether or not you can potentially qualify for SSDI can help you decide if applying is worth the effort. There are two specific criteria that your circumstances must meet for you to get SSDI benefits.

You must have made adequate contributions to Social Security

How much you pay in taxes, including towards Social Security, depends on your overall income. The more you earn, the more you will generally have to pay. Those deductions from your paycheck add up over time and lead to eligibility for SSDI and Social Security retirement benefits.


The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns points to individual taxpayers based on their earnings and therefore their contributions to the program. You will need to earn at least 40 credits to qualify for SSDI benefits, and you can only accumulate four credits each year.


Currently, every $1,470 of income earned and taxed will accrue one point for the taxpayer. To make a claim for SSDI, you not only need 40 points overall, but you will also need to have accrued at least 20 of those points in the 10 years leading up to your application.

Your condition should prevent you from working your job and any other job

Sometimes, people associate so strongly with a particular job or career that when they can no longer do that work, they assume they have a permanent, total disability. However, many times skilled workers who can’t continue in the same career they have long enjoyed can still perform other jobs.


You will need a formal diagnosis and medical records supporting your claim that your condition is severe enough to completely prevent you from securing gainful employment. Additionally, the medical condition will need to persist for at least a year or be permanent. The greater the impact of the condition on your ability to work or live on your own, the stronger your claim for benefits.


Understanding when you might qualify for SSDI benefits and help you decide whether applying now would be in your best interest.

Picking your doctor for a Wisconsin workers’ compensation claim

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • October 6, 2021
When you’ve been hurt on the job, does it really matter so much who gets to pick your worker’s compensation doctor? Absolutely. Unlike most other states, Wisconsin is very liberal about the way that it treats its injured workers. Under the law, you — not your employer — get to pick your treating physician. You can even change doctors if you decide the first doctor isn’t providing responsible care. (If you still aren’t satisfied with the medical care you receive, you’ll need your employer’s permission to switch physicians once more.)

What can you do to avoid a dog biting you?

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • September 23, 2021
Dogs do not always act according to specific rules, and any dog could bite you if it feels like it. However, understanding a little about how dogs think may help you avoid getting bitten.  The first thing to know is that some dogs are more likely to bite you than others. Certain breeds have it in their nature to attack. Others become aggressive due to the way their owners raise them. If your child is looking for a dog to stroke, steer them away from anything that looks like it is meant to go head to head with mountain lions or armed robbers.

How dangerous is an intersection?

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • September 13, 2021
Almost every time you drive, you’re bound to come to some sort of an intersection. It may be a two-way stop, where you have to wait for cross traffic. It could be a four-way stop, where everyone has to wait and take turns. It may even be a light-controlled intersection, where all drivers are just supposed to do as instructed by the automated traffic signal. Regardless of how common they are, intersections are very dangerous. They’re so notorious for this that researchers have studied them to find the most dangerous ones in each state. Under normal driving conditions, going through an intersection could be the riskiest thing you do on the road. Why is this?

Getting ready for fall motorcycling

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • September 9, 2021
Fall is an exciting time for motorcyclists. It’s cool enough that the safe leather gear does not get too hot and warm enough that you do not need several layers to keep from shivering. As you get your bike ready for fall, it is essential to take a moment to get yourself and your motorcycle ready for the changes in the weather. Here are a few ways you can plan for a safer ride this fall.

How the SSA’s definition of disability can complicate your claim

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • August 30, 2021
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a rather strict definition of what it means to be “disabled” in a way that qualifies you to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.  You need to understand how the “12-month rule” could affect your claim if you intend to file a claim.

Getting used to driving a new car after a crash

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • August 17, 2021
Are you going to be driving a rental car in the aftermath of a crash? Maybe you need to buy a new one because yours is beyond repair. Either way, you’re going to be finding yourself behind the wheel of an unfamiliar car at a time when you’re probably already nervous about driving again.  Even if you get a newer model of the same car, there are going to be a lot of differences to get used to. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with all of those changes before you’re out on the road. That requires a bit of time and patience.

Why are dog bite attacks so expensive?

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • August 3, 2021
Any kind of injury or illness can come with expenses that hurt your finances. However, dog bite attacks often proved to be far more financially devastating than people expect.  What at first seemed like a minor issue may eventually result in thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages. What makes dog bite attacks so expensive?

Will insurance be enough to protect you after a Wisconsin crash?

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • July 20, 2021
Many people think that car insurance protects the victims of crashes from losses. However, insurance in Wisconsin is a liability-based program. It does offer coverage to people hurt by irresponsible drivers, but its primary role is to protect the person who caused the crashed from financial liability.  Unless you pay for special coverage, you will be dependent on the other driver after a crash. Unfortunately, that might mean that there isn’t enough insurance to repay you for the losses you incurred because of the wreck.

A denied SSDI claim is often just the first step toward benefits

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • July 6, 2021
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be a very humbling experience. You have to accept the idea that your medical condition could permanently affect your earning capacity. You also need to acknowledge that you need help in daily life or that you don’t have enough income to support yourself anymore.  Once you reach that point, you then it needed to gather enough medical documentation to prove that your condition affects your daily life. You have to submit your evidence and certain paperwork to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Unfortunately, many people who need SSDI won’t receive benefits right away when they apply. Instead, the SSA denies their application.

2 motorcyclists injured, 1 teen accused of reckless driving

By On Behalf of Bollenbeck Fyfe, S.C. • June 22, 2021
When drivers don’t pay close attention to the road, there is an increased risk that someone could get hurt. Take, for example, a case in Appleton in which a car struck a motorcyclist. Both the motorcyclist and their passenger were taken to the hospital for their injuries. The information from the police revealed that a 16-year-old boy had been driving aggressively when he crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle. Both the motorcycle’s driver and passenger suffered serious, though not life-threatening, injuries. The police released information showing that they took a blood sample and that alcohol wasn’t a factor in the crash. However, the teen driver will face charges for reckless driving . As the investigation unfolds, they could face other penalties as well.
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