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.
Has a physical or mental disability prevented you from working and earning an income in Louisiana? If so, you may qualify for disability benefits in Louisiana through the US Social Security Administration (SSA).
Someone who qualifies for disability benefits can receive monthly payments to help them pay for food, shelter, and other essentials. However, it’s important to understand that receiving benefits isn’t as simple as filling out some paperwork and collecting a check.
You need to familiarize yourself with the different types of disability benefits in Louisiana to know which program you should apply to. You also need to understand how to show you meet disability requirements in LA.
The following overview will help you get started. For more information, consider speaking with a legal professional.
Understanding The Definition Of Disability In Louisiana
Unless you’re applying for another form of disability benefits, to meet disability requirements in LA, you need to show that you have a condition that satisfies the SSA’s definition of a disability.
Per the SSA, a disability needs to prevent someone from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2024, a non-blind individual can’t participate in SGA if they earn less than $1,550 monthly. For someone who is blind, being unable to participate in SGA means being unable to earn at least $2,590 per month.
For the SSA to consider a condition a disability, medical evidence also needs to indicate the condition is likely to either result in death or last at least 12 months. You will need to submit documentation showing your condition meets these criteria to access SSA disability benefits in Louisiana. According to the SSA, a disability may be either a physical or mental condition.
What Disabling Conditions Qualify In Louisiana?
The first step in determining whether your condition qualifies as a disability according to the SSA is to check for a relevant listing in the SSA’s Blue Book.
The Blue Book is a resource listing over 200 conditions the SSA considers to be disabilities for which individuals may receive benefits. If you can’t find a listing for your condition, it may be part of a more general listing for a certain type of condition.
You’ll always have to show that a condition limits your working ability when applying for disability benefits in Louisiana. The type of program you’re applying to will also influence application requirements. For instance, you may need to show you’ve earned sufficient work credits to qualify for certain types of disability benefits.
A Blue Book listing may also contain information regarding application requirements for specific conditions. Review the applicable listing carefully to ensure you don’t submit an incomplete application. Doing so could delay the process of receiving benefits.
Types of Disability Benefits Available in Louisiana
As you learn how to apply for disability in the State of Louisiana, make sure you plan to apply to the right program. The SSA currently offers these options:
Louisiana Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
When learning how to qualify for disability in Louisiana, you’ll discover that your work history influences the types of programs available to you. For example, SSDI is a program available to individuals who’ve worked and contributed to the Social Security system in the past.
You need to have earned at least 40 work credits to qualify for SSDI. You must have earned at least 20 of those work credits during the 10 years immediately before you developed a disability.
Someone earns work credits by working and paying into the Social Security system. The maximum number of work credits a person can earn in a given year is four.
Don’t assume there’s no way you’ll qualify for this form of disability benefits in Louisiana if you haven’t earned sufficient work credits. The SSA sometimes makes exceptions when applicants are young and don’t have substantial work histories.
Louisiana Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You don’t have to prove you’ve worked and paid into Social Security in the past to qualify for SSI. SSI is available to applicants who can show the following:
- They have a disability or are at least 65 years of age
- They have minimal to no income and financial resources
It’s important to keep track of how you spend monthly SSI funds if the SSA approves your application. It’s of particular importance to track when you spend SSI funds on a child’s expenses.
State of Louisiana Disability Programs
Louisiana itself doesn’t offer a statewide short-term disability insurance program. However, individual employers throughout Louisiana may offer this type of insurance through their benefits packages. You may also purchase short-term or long-term disability insurance yourself through an insurer.
These forms of insurance represent alternatives to SSA disability benefits. Consider them if you worry you won’t qualify for SSA benefits or can’t wait long to receive them.
Find A Disability Lawyer In Louisiana
Enlisting the help of a Louisiana Social Security disability attorney can simplify the process of seeking benefits in many ways. Advantages of hiring a lawyer include:
- Reviewing your case with a professional who can determine what type of benefits program best suits your needs
- Having someone assist you with such tasks as gathering medical documentation and coordinating with doctors
- Being able to focus on your health while someone else handles completing and submitting application paperwork
Those are just a few of the benefits of hiring an attorney in these circumstances. For more information about what a Louisiana disability lawyer can do for you, take the Free Case Evaluation today.
How Much Disability Can You Receive in Louisiana?
How much is disability in Louisiana? That depends. Many factors, such as the severity of your condition, can determine how much you may receive if you qualify for disability benefits.
Individuals receiving SSI in 2024 may receive a maximum monthly benefit of up to $943. The maximum monthly SSI benefit for couples is $1,415. For SSDI, the current maximum monthly benefit is $3,822. Our free disability benefits calculator can help you better determine how much you may be eligible to receive. Speak with a lawyer for more information about what does and doesn’t affect benefits amounts.
