Social Security Attorneys

Jacksonville, Florida

Social Security Disability (SSDI)

If you are unable to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The term for "working" is “engaging in substantial gainful activity,” abbreviated as SGA. The government sets specific amounts of monthly income, and if you earn more than these amounts, you are considered to be engaging in SGA.

These amounts are “net of impairment-related work expenses,” meaning that first you can use your income to pay for things that are prerequisites to your being able to work - such as transportation to work, or special computer equipment - and the amount left over is what you should compare to the government amounts. The Social Security website provides these monthly income amounts (click here to view them). If you are blind, the Social Security Act allows a higher income amount.

Quarter of Coverage (QC)

This is a legal term for the basic unit that determines whether you are “insured” under the Social Security program. Being "insured" in this context means that you earned a minimum amount each year. For 2008, the amount of earnings needed for one QC is $1,050. Another term for a QC is “Social Security credit” or just “credit.” Regardless of how high your salary might be, you can only earn four QCs in each year.

The minimum number of QCs for Social Security eligibility is six. The maximum number is 40, so earnings that take you beyond that number do not count (click here to read more about QCs on the Social Security website).

The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)

This is the benefit amount you would receive if you apply neither earlier nor later than your normal retirement age. If you apply earlier, the amount is reduced; if you apply later, it is increased (click here to see a table of normal retirement ages based on the year you were born).

There is a formula used to calculate your PIA which includes three "bend points". For 2008, the bend points are $711, $4,288, and amounts over $4,288. These three dollar amounts pertain to your average indexed monthly earnings. Indexing is the term for translating income amounts earned years ago into current amounts.

The social security disability (SSDI) system is enormously complex, and if you would like to have legal help in applying for your benefits, we are ready to support you. We know our way around the system, and when we talk with you, will know which parts of it are relevant for your successful application. Please call us at our Jacksonville, Florida offices, or email us to arrange a free consultation.