Eligibility and Qualifications for Disability in Illinois   The federal government operates two separate disability benefit programs: Social Security Disability and SSI. And the qualifications for disability in Illinois in either program can be broken down into two separate categories. The first may be called program eligibility. What do we mean by this? For title II disability benefits, a.k.a. Social Security Disability benefits, a person must be insured for coverage under this program. In other words, they must have a certain number of work credits that have been earned within a specific timeframe. For most adult disability applicants, this will mean having earned about forty work credits, twenty of which should have been earned in the last 10 years. What are work credits? Work credits are equal to specific earnings amounts. Currently, a worker will receive one work credit per quarter for every one thousand dollars they earn. A worker can receive up to four work credits per year. For SSI, a.k.a. supplemental security income a.k.a. title 16 benefits, there is no work credits requirement. In fact, SSI disability exists to provide benefits to individuals who are not insured for Social Security Disability. From a program eligiblity standpoint, however, the qualifications for disability, under SSI, are that A. an applicant must not have have current earnings that are in excess of SGA (this requirement exists for Social Security Disability as well), and B. the applicant must not have assets in excess of $2000.00 Qualifications for disability, however, go beyond basic program eligibility, which may be thought of as simply the ability to have a disability application taken. After an application for disability has been filed, the qualifications for disability focus on medical eligibility. And the following pages provide information on this topic. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Filing for disability in Illinois Applying for disability in Illinois How do you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI in Illinois Filing for disability in Illinois, when to file After you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI in Illinois Are you automatically denied for SSDI or SSI in Illinois when you first apply? Filing Illinois request for reconsideration after denied Will I Qualify For Disability Benefits in Illinois? Options after Social Security Disability is Denied in Illinois Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Illinois Do you need a lawyer for a Disability Claim in Illinois? Disability attorneys, lawyers in Illinois Choosing a Disability Attorney in Illinois What will an Illinois disability attorney do? Will hiring a disability attorney in Illinois get me a disability award? Social Security Disability Representatives and help in Illinois Social Security Claims and Disability Lawyers in Illinois Illinois disability appeals Filing a disability appeal in Illinois Which disability appeal to file in Illinois How many disability appeals do you get in Illinois? Getting a Disability Appeal on time in Illinois Eligibility, approvals, and qualifications in Illinois How to Qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI in Illinois Can a Specific Medical Problem get you Approved for Disability in Illinois? Eligibility and Qualifications for Disability in Illinois Can you get disability approved in Illinois at the reconsideration level? Miscellaneous questions about SSD SSI in Illinois Can you get disability in Illinois on your first try? How many Social Security Disability and SSI cases get denied in Illinois? Disability denial in Illinois, when to get a lawyer Social Security Disability Waiting period in Illinois Will I lose my SSDI SSI disability benefits in Illinois when my case is reviewed? Illinois disability hearings How to Prepare for a Disability Hearing in Illinois Odds of disability approval in Illinois better at a hearing vs reconsideration Illinois disability attorney representation after being denied Illinois mental disability Approved for disability in Illinois with a mental condition Mental testing for an SSDI or SSI disability claim in Illinois Filing for Disability with depression in Illinois Illinois disability decisions Who makes the SSD or SSI decision in Illinois How long does it take to get a disability decision in Illinois? What is the Social Security Disability decision making process in Illinois? Illinois disability, working and work credits Work credits in Illinois to be covered for Social Security Disability How to get your disability status in Illinois If you get and receive disability benefits in Illinois, can you work? Can you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI in Illinois if you are working? Illinois disability denials Why is Social Security Disability and SSI Denied in Illinois? Denied on a Disability Reconsideration in Illinois Illinois Disability Claim was Denied, Should I Reapply? Denied the second time for Social Security Disability in Illinois