Is Social Security Disability the right choice for you? These five signs could provide the answer.
Are you wondering if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Louisiana? If a disability is impacting your ability to work, you might be asking this very question. The process can be confusing, but recognizing a few key signs can help clarify your eligibility. A Disability Lawyer in Monroe, LA, can offer the guidance you need to understand the steps involved and ensure you meet all the necessary requirements.
Figuring out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits can feel like a puzzle, but knowing the key pieces can make it easier. It’s not just about having a disability—it’s also about how it affects your day-to-day life and your ability to work. You’ll need to meet certain requirements, like showing medical evidence and proving your work history. Once you understand what to look for and how to approach the process, you’ll be in a better spot to tackle what’s ahead.
Quick Summary:
- If your disability limits earnings to under $1,620/month ($2,700 if blind), you might qualify. Louisiana’s DDS offices check if your condition stops you from working full-time. They review medical proof like doctor reports or test results. This rule applies even if you can’t do basic tasks like standing for long periods.
- SSA requires proof your disability will last 12+ months or cause death. Short-term injuries (like broken bones) don’t count. Examples include cancer, multiple sclerosis, or severe mental illness. Medical records must show how your condition limits work tasks like lifting or focusing.
- SSA checks if you can return to past jobs or switch careers. For example, a construction worker with back injuries can’t lift heavy items. If you’re over 50, SSA knows retraining is harder. They’ll review your age, skills, and education to decide if other jobs are realistic.
- Most people need 40 work credits (20 earned in the last 10 years). Younger workers need fewer: a 24-year-old needs 6 credits. If you lack credits, SSI may help based on income. Work credits come from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes.
- SSA uses a “Blue Book” list of approved conditions like heart disease or schizophrenia. If your condition isn’t listed, prove it’s equally severe with lab tests, X-rays, or therapy notes. Daily struggles (like needing help cooking) also matter. Without strong records, claims often get denied.
Top 5 Early Indicators You Could Be Eligible for SSD in Louisiana
If a disability is making it tough to work, you may be closer to qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits than you think. The process can feel complicated, but certain signs can help you understand where you stand. By reviewing your medical history, work record, and daily challenges, you can get a clearer picture of your eligibility. Here are five signs to look for.
Your Disability Prevents Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Living with a disability can make even simple tasks feel like a challenge, but when it also affects your ability to earn a living, Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may be an option. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether your condition prevents you from doing your past job or any other kind of work.
It’s not just about whether you can work a little—it’s about whether you can earn a steady income. If your monthly earnings fall below $1,620 (or $2,700 if blind) due to your condition, your case will advance to Louisiana’s DDS offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport. They’ll review medical evidence to confirm your inability to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)—not just general work challenges.
If your condition makes it difficult to hold a job or limits your ability to perform SGA, you could qualify for benefits. Disability Determination Services (DDS) will assess your medical records to decide if you meet SSDI requirements.
Your Disability Will Last 12+ Months and Prevent SGA
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are intended for people facing long-term health challenges. Your condition must prevent SGA for at least 12 consecutive months or lead to death. Examples include multiple sclerosis11 or stage IV cancer13, supported by medical records spanning this timeframe. So, temporary issues like a short-term illness or injury typically don’t qualify. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for conditions that are severe and ongoing, ones that you can’t just “recover” from in a few weeks.
Think about it this way: your condition must limit your ability to do basic daily tasks, like walking, sitting, or even remembering things, for at least a year. If these limitations are long-lasting, you may be eligible for benefits. The SSA focuses on conditions that disrupt your life over time, not short-term problems that will eventually go away.
You Can’t Perform Your Previous Job or Adjust to New Work
If your medical condition prevents you from doing the job you once had, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a 5-step evaluation process to determine eligibility:
- Are you working? Earning above $1,620/month (2025 threshold) disqualifies you.
- Is your condition severe? It must significantly limit basic work activities.
- Does it meet a listed impairment? Check SSA’s “Blue Book” of qualifying conditions.
- Can you do past work? The SSA compares your limitations to your previous job’s demands.
- Can you adjust to other work? Your age, education, skills, and medical restrictions are analyzed.
For Louisianans over 50, limited job retraining options often strengthen eligibility during Step 5. The SSA recognizes that older workers face greater barriers to switching careers. If your condition prevents returning to any full-time work—even with accommodations—you likely qualify for SSDI.
You Have Enough Work History to Qualify
Social Security Disability benefits aren’t just about your medical condition—they also depend on your work history. Since SSDI is funded through payroll taxes, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify. The Social Security Administration (SSA) measures this with work credits, which you earn based on your income.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) requires both medical eligibility and work credits earned through payroll taxes. The Social Security Administration measures this with a credit system:
- General Rule: 40 total work credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled.
- Age Adjustments:
- 24-year-olds: 6 credits earned in the last 3 years.
- 50-year-olds: 28 total credits (20 in last decade).
Example: A 50-year-old warehouse worker in Monroe who developed severe arthritis would need 28 credits (equivalent to ~7 years of full-time work).
If you don’t qualify for SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers need-based support without work credits.
Your Medical Condition Meets Disability Criteria
When it comes to Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, having a serious health condition isn’t enough—you need solid medical proof. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t go by how you feel but rather by what your medical records show. This means doctor’s reports, lab results, treatment records, and any other medical evidence that clearly documents your condition.
The SSA has a Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the “Blue Book,” which outlines conditions that automatically meet their disability criteria. Some examples include chronic heart disease, degenerative back disorders, severe asthma, and mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. But if your condition isn’t on the list, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck—you can still qualify if you can prove it’s just as severe as a listed condition. The key? Strong, detailed medical records that show exactly how your condition limits your ability to work and handle everyday tasks.
Get the Social Security Benefits You Deserve – Contact our Disability Lawyer in Monroe, LA Today!
If you’re dealing with a disability and wondering if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you don’t have to face the process on your own. A Disability Lawyer in Monroe, LA can help you through the steps.
At E. Orum Young Law Social Security Disability, we know how tough the application process can be. If you recognize the signs we’ve discussed, we’re here to help you figure out if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our goal is to make things easier by supporting you every step of the way, from confirming your eligibility to making sure your case is presented well.
Don’t let the process stress you out. We offer a free case review to look over your situation. We’ll help you understand your options and guide you throughout the whole process. Contact us today to start working towards the benefits you deserve.
