Social Security Disability benefits are insurance benefits you pay premiums for with every cent of FICA withheld from your paycheck, or, if you are self-employed, with every cent of self-employment tax you pay on yourself. When you become too ill to work, you are entitled to these benefits.

Social Security Disability is not welfare! You have earned it.

Typically, there is a five year "grace" period where coverage continues after you have stopped working. You remain insured for benefits during this period. If you decide to apply benefits after your coverage has expired, you may still be able to win if you can show that you were ill while you still had coverage.

If you claim is denied for such a "boiler plate" reason as your not being disabled before your coverage expired, you should not take this as a statement of fact. When this happens, call a lawyer right away to review your circumstances while you were still insured. There may be some good evidence showing that you were disabled.

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