Things Your Social Security Lawyer Might Tell You about Medicare
Q: How long before I am covered for Medicare?
A: A social security lawyer will tell you that, if you’re retired, Medicare is fairly simple. Those that are 65 or older will normally be eligible for Medicare coverage if they’ve worked for ten years or more in a Medicare covered position. If you are under 65 and suffering from a disability, you may also be eligible for Medicare. But you may want to talk to a social security lawyer about some of the complications involved in getting Medicare due to disability.
When they first become disabled, most Medicare applicants who don’t work with a social security lawyer do not realize that they will have to wait at least 24 months before receiving coverage. This waiting period begins at the time you become disabled. In order to receive Medicare coverage for your disability, you are also required to be eligible for social security disability. Unfortunately, the combination of the waiting periods for both social security disability and Medicare coverage can make for a very long Medicare wait. You may want to talk to a social security lawyer for a better idea of the time frame.
Q: According to the Social Security Administration, I am one credit short of the number I need to be eligible for benefits. What, exactly, do they mean?
A: Social Security Disability eligibility is a complex system (which is why it’s a good idea to work with a social security lawyer). For you to be eligible to be “insured” for SS Disability, you will generally (though not always) need to have earned 20 credits during the last ten years of work. This 10 year rolling period should end when the SSA deems your disability to have started.
Sadly, though, the rules that go into determining how many credits you have and need for the last ten years of work makes meeting your credit requirements rather difficult. Any social security lawyer or advocate can tell you to expect this to happen if you haven’t worked enough. Unfortuantely, though, it can also happen when you’ve waited too long to apply for SSD, or when a judge has decided to change your disability’s official onset date. If this happens, your first step should be to consult a social security lawyer or advocate to find out your options.
Q: If I have an SSD claim pending, can I still work?
A: Your social security lawyer will describe disability that is eligible for benefits as any that keeps you from earning a substantial income. This doesn’t necessarily mean, though, that you cannot work at all. If the salary you earn with your work falls below a certain limit (which is set annually but the SSA), you may still be approved for benefits. Talk to a social security lawyer or advocate for details.