Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.
Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.
Being unable to work because of a physical or mental condition can complicate your life in many ways. If you can’t work, you can’t earn enough money to pay for basics like food and shelter.
Luckily, if you’re an Iowa resident who can’t work because of a disability, you may qualify for disability benefits in Iowa through the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). You might also be eligible for certain types of disability benefits through your employer.
The following guide will cover topics like the basics of how to apply for disability in the State of Iowa. That said, for information that’s relevant to your specific case, strongly consider discussing the matter with a legal professional.
Understanding The Definition Of Disability In Iowa
The SSA defines a disability as a physical or mental condition that prevents someone from earning a certain amount of money every month. This is called substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2024, for someone to participate in SGA, they must earn a minimum of $1,550 per month. If they’re blind, their monthly earnings must be at least $2,590.
The SSA has other disability requirements in IA. For a condition to qualify as a disability, it must be a mental or physical condition that either lasts at least 12 months or is medically likely to result in death.
What Disabling Conditions Qualify In Iowa?
A brief overview couldn’t list all the conditions that might qualify as disabilities. The SSA offers the Blue Book, a resource containing listings for over 200 conditions that may render someone eligible for disability benefits in Iowa.
Check the Blue Book to find out if there is a listing for your condition. If there isn’t a specific listing for your condition, be aware that it may be found under a more general listing.
Blue Book listings also offer information about how to prove you have a particular disability. Generally, you’ll at least need to provide the SSA with documentation indicating your condition limits your working ability. Depending on the type of benefits you’re seeking, you might also need to show you’ve accrued enough “work credits” over the course of your working years. The following section of this overview expands on that crucial topic.
Types of Disability Benefits Available in Iowa
When learning how to apply for disability in the State of Iowa, it’s important to learn about the two main programs you can seek benefits from. You don’t want to waste your time seeking benefits you don’t qualify for.
The two main types of disability benefits the SSA offers are:
Iowa Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Someone may qualify for SSDI if they’ve worked in the past and paid into the Social Security system. Every year that someone works and pays into Social Security, they accrue a certain number of work credits. A person’s income determines how many work credits they earn. The maximum amount of work credits someone can earn in a year is four.
To qualify for SSDI, someone must have earned at least 40 work credits, 20 of which they earned within the 10 years immediately preceding the date they became disabled. That said, there are exceptions. Sometimes the SSA approves applications for SSDI when applicants haven’t earned sufficient work credits. It may do so in cases involving young applicants who haven’t had time to gain substantial work experience.
Iowa Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Not earning enough work credits doesn’t necessarily have to prevent someone from qualifying for disability benefits in Iowa. Unlike SSDI, SSI is a needs-based program.
That means you don’t have to show you’ve worked in the past to qualify for SSI. You merely need to show the following:
- You have a disability that meets the SSA’s definition, or you’re over the age of 65
- You have limited or no income
- You have limited or no financial resources
Prepare to track how you spend SSI funds if you do qualify for the program. Be sure to track when you spend SSI funds on a child’s expenses.
State of Iowa Disability Programs
Because SSA disability benefits are only available when a condition is likely to last 12 months or result in a person’s death, some states offer short-term disability benefits programs. These programs can assist those who are unable to work due to conditions that aren’t expected to last a full year.
Iowa is not one of those states. However, employers in Iowa have the option to offer short-term disability insurance as part of a benefits package. Look into whether your employer offers this option.
Additionally, employees of the State of Iowa may be eligible for long-term disability through their employer. This form of disability benefits pays 60% of up to $60,000 of a worker’s annual income.
Find A Disability Lawyer In Iowa
There are many benefits to enlisting the help of a disability attorney when seeking disability benefits from the SSA. A lawyer can assist you in such ways as:
- Reviewing your case to determine if you likely qualify for benefits
- Determining what types of benefits programs you should focus on
- Helping you gather documentation to show you have a disability
- If the SSA denies your initial claim, which is often the case, helping with an appeal
Learn more about what a lawyer can do for you by taking the Free Case Evaluation today to get connected with a disability attorney who may be able to help with your case.
How Much Disability Can You Receive in Iowa?
How much is disability in Iowa? The answer depends on many factors.
Currently, the maximum monthly SSI benefit is $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples. The maximum SSDI benefit is currently $3,822 a month.
Our free disability benefits calculator can provide you with a better sense of how much you may be eligible to receive. However, the best way to learn more about this matter is still to speak with an attorney.
