Can a Stay at Home Mom Collect Social Security Disability?
If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you might be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits based on your work history. You may even qualify without a recent work history if you meet certain requirements. You might be able to receive these benefits even if you’re divorced. You must have been married for at least 10 years and can’t be currently married to someone else. Your divorced spouse must also be at least 62 years old and unmarried.
If you’re a stay-at-home mom caring for a child under 16 or disabled and your spouse receives SSDI benefits, you may be eligible for dependent benefits.
How Many Social Security Credits Do I Have to Accumulate?
If you’re seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) disability payments based on your own work history, you must have 40 work credits, with at least 20 of those earned in the last 10 years. You earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes, regardless of whether you’re self-employed or employed full or part-time.
The Social Security system allows you to earn up to four credits each year—essentially one per quarter. Each credit is based on a monetary amount of earnings; for 2024, every $1,730 earned equals a credit.
However, the number of credits required can vary depending on your age and when your disability began.
For example, younger individuals may need fewer credits to qualify, while those who become disabled later in life may need more. It’s always a good idea to check with a Social Security disability attorney to see what the specific requirements are.
Medical Qualifications for Social Security Benefits
When determining medical disability, the SSA refers to the “Blue Book” manual that lists qualifying impairments. You might be eligible for benefits if your medical condition is on the list.
But even if it’s not, you can still qualify if your condition is considered just as severe. Your condition must be expected to last a year or more or result in your death. It must also significantly limit your ability to perform work-related activities, including physical tasks like walking or standing or cognitive tasks such as remembering things.
Medical Evidence Needed
To apply for SSDI benefits as a stay-at-home mom, you must provide compelling medical evidence to support your claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) wants proof of your condition’s severity and how it limits your daily activities. The more comprehensive your medical evidence, the stronger your SSDI claim will be.
Here’s the documentation you’ll need:
Medical records from doctors, hospitals, and therapists
Test results, lab reports, and medication lists
Statements from healthcare providers explaining how your condition interferes with your ability to perform work-related tasks
Records of hospitalizations, surgeries, and emergency room visits
Documentation of pain or symptoms to demonstrate the severity of your condition
Statements from family members or caregivers describing your limitations
Records of past work history (if applicable)
Proof of age, citizenship, and marital status (if filing as a spouse)
Applying for SSDI as a Stay-at-Home Mom
File an application with the SSA online, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or in person at your local SSA office.
Provide detailed information about your medical history and how your condition affects your ability to take care of your family.
Submit statements from your healthcare providers and family members (if applicable).
Consider consulting a disability attorney to guide you through the process and boost your chances of approval.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides a basic monthly benefit to help cover living expenses, which can be helpful for stay-at-home moms with disabilities who can’t work. To qualify for SSI, you must have a disability or be over 65 and have limited income and resources.
Resources, such as cash, stocks, or real estate, worth no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple
Not having other resources, such as life insurance or retirement accounts, above certain thresholds
The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for 2024 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. These figures do not account for all income exclusions and might vary by state.
Other Financial Assistance Programs
Besides SSI and SSDI, there are other financial assistance programs that can help stay-at-home moms with disabilities or those who are struggling financially. Some of these programs include:
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Provides financial assistance for low-income families with children, including stay-at-home moms with disabilities.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: This program offers nutrition assistance and education for eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as babies and young children.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): This program helps low-income individuals and families, including stay-at-home moms, purchase food.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Offers health insurance coverage for children in low-income families.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program helps low-income families, including stay-at-home moms, pay for home energy costs.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: Provides rental assistance for low-income families.
State-specific Programs: Many states offer additional programs, such as disability support, housing assistance, or respite care.
Impact Disability Law: Your Trusted Partner in Social Security Disability Claims
Are you a stay-at-home parent who’s financially struggling due to disability? The emotional and financial impact can be devastating, especially when a family relies on you. Having a trusted ally by your side is crucial during these challenging times.
Our experienced disability attorneys understand the Social Security Administration’s requirements and procedures inside and out. We can help you:
Determine if you qualify for benefits as a stay-at-home parent
Build a strong case to boost your chances of approval
Make the process less stressful by helping you every step of the way
At Impact Disability Law, we’re committed to helping you secure the financial assistance you and your family so desperately need. Let’s explore your options and fight for the benefits you deserve. You’ve worked tirelessly for your family; now, let us work for you!
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards a more secure future. You can reach us online or call us. Our phone number is (303) 835-7855.