You may qualify for disability benefits in New Mexico if, because of a physical or mental condition, you can’t work and cover the cost of basic needs like food and housing. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits to help people like you pay for essentials. Certain employers in New Mexico also offer similar programs.
The following overview will cover your options. To learn more about how to qualify for disability in New Mexico, speak with a lawyer who may assist with your case.
Understanding The Definition Of Disability In New Mexico
The SSA defines a disability as a condition preventing someone from being able to participate in substantial gainful activity (SGA). If someone participates in SGA, it means they’re able to earn a certain minimum amount of money every month.
SGA differs depending on whether someone is or isn’t blind. For blind individuals, SGA is $2,590 per month. For non-blind individuals, it’s $1,550.
A condition must also be reasonably serious to qualify as a disability per the SSA. Specifically, it must be medically likely to either:
- Last at least 12 months
- Result in death
Be aware that this is merely the SSA’s definition of a disability. Other agencies and programs may have their own definitions.
What Disabling Conditions Qualify In New Mexico?
The SSA lists over 200 conditions that qualify as disabilities. You may find listings for these conditions in the SSA’s Blue Book.
Check this resource to find out if your condition is a disability. A lawyer can help if you’re not sure whether there’s a relevant Blue Book listing for your condition. Sometimes, specific conditions are listed under general categories of conditions in the Blue Book.
A Blue Book listing will also offer information about the types of documentation you may need to provide when applying for benefits. No matter what your condition is, you’ll need to show medical evidence that a condition limits your working ability. It may also be necessary to show you’ve satisfied other program-specific requirements, such as earning enough “work credits.”
Types of Disability Benefits Available in New Mexico
When learning how to apply for disability in the State of New Mexico, keep in mind that applying to the right program is critical. You could waste a lot of time if you choose the wrong program to submit an application to. The SSA offers the following two options:
New Mexico Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is a form of disability benefits in New Mexico that may be available to you if you’ve worked and paid into the Social Security system in the past. If a worker pays into Social Security, they earn work credits for every year they work. The maximum amount of work credits someone can earn in a single year is four.
Having a disability is one of the requirements to qualify for SSDI. In addition, you must show that you’ve earned at least 40 work credits, and that you’ve earned at least 20 of those in the ten years immediately preceding when you became disabled.
What if you’re too young to have substantial work experience? In some cases, the SSA makes exceptions, approving applications for SSDI from young applicants who technically don’t have enough work credits.
New Mexico Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is also an option to consider for someone with a limited work history. To qualify for SSI, someone doesn’t need to show they’ve earned work credits or paid into Social Security. To meet SSI disability requirements in NM, they need to show:
- That they have a disability or are over the age of 65
- That they have limited or no income
- That they have limited or no financial resources
Track how you spend SSI funds if you qualify for the program. You need to track when you spend SSI funds on a child’s expenses.
State of New Mexico Disability Programs
Are you an employee of the State of New Mexico? If so, you may also qualify for disability benefits through your employer. You have two options to consider:
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Short-term disability benefits may begin 28 days after a worker becomes disabled in New Mexico. After 28 days, the maximum length of short-term disability benefits is 26 weeks. Someone may receive this form of benefits if they’re not receiving workers’ compensation.
Long-Term Disability Benefits
Long-term disability benefits may allow a disabled worker to continue receiving benefits after short-term disability benefits end. They last for up to 18 months. Again, these forms of disability benefits in New Mexico are only available to State employees and certain local government employees.
Find A Disability Lawyer In New Mexico
As you learn how to qualify for disability in New Mexico, it’s natural to become overwhelmed. You might understandably fear the process of applying for and receiving benefits is unreasonably lengthy and complex.
These concerns are understandable. Luckily, you don’t need to go about this process alone.
Strongly consider reaching out to a New Mexico Social Security disability attorney. The many benefits of working with an attorney in these circumstances include:
- Getting case-specific information about your options
- Having assistance from a professional who can help with everything from gathering medical evidence of your condition to completing and submitting application forms
- Enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing a professional is handling your case while you focus on your health
For more information about what a disability lawyer can do for you, take the Free Case Evaluation today.
How Much Disability Can You Receive in New Mexico?
How much is disability in New Mexico? Currently, the maximum benefit available to an individual receiving SSI is $943 per month. For couples, the maximum monthly SSI benefit in 2024 is $1,415. The maximum benefit available to someone receiving SSDI is $3,822.
Many factors can influence how much money you may receive in the form of disability benefits. Our disability benefits calculator can provide a basic sense of what you might be eligible for. As always, speaking with a lawyer is among the top ways to learn more about your options.
