| The RSDI (Retirement, Survivors and Disability | | | | and the kind of benefit he is applying for. |
| Insurance) is considered as the largest among the | | | | In cases of applying for RSDI benefits due to |
| income-maintenance programs of the Federal | | | | disabilities, a claimant's physical or mental ailment must |
| Government. Managed by the Social Security | | | | prevent him from engaging in any "substantial gainful |
| Administration, such insurance benefit program aims to | | | | activity" or SGA. |
| provide monthly financial support to those who have | | | | In addition, his incurred impairment either must be |
| lost their income due to retirements, disabilities or death | | | | expected to last or has already lasted for at least a |
| of a family provider. | | | | continuous period of twelve (12) months or expected |
| Originally, this was initiated in 1935 to focus on helping | | | | to result in his death. A claimant's age, educational |
| retirees and survivors of a deceased worker. It was | | | | attainment, skills and work experiences are also crucial |
| only then in 1956, it was expanded to cover disabled | | | | in determining his eligibility, aside from his medical |
| workers, if they meet the requirements set by the | | | | records. However, the SSA implements a more lenient |
| SSA. | | | | rule for blind workers. |
| As of now, the RSDI program covers more or less | | | | Meanwhile, the filing of a RSDI claim may be done in |
| 96% of the occupations in our country. This was | | | | three ways: |
| brought about by the passage of two laws that | | | | - First, by calling the SSA's phone number at |
| compel the workers to pay their Social Security taxes, | | | | 1-800-772-1213; |
| the Federal Insurance Contribution Act and | | | | - via their website at [ |
| Self-Employment Contribution Act, in order to finance | | | | - Filing the petition personally at their nearest local |
| the program. | | | | office |
| In the end of 1999, little less than 45 million beneficiaries | | | | In either ways, an SSA personnel will be attending to |
| were given monthly financial assistance; 62% were | | | | an individual's Social Security concerns and help him |
| retirees, 10% were disabled employees and the rest | | | | regarding his RSDI claim. |
| were those who spouses, children and parents of | | | | On the other hand, although a worker may file his claim |
| those retirees, disabled and deceased members. | | | | alone, it will also be helpful to seek the aid of an |
| To become eligible for the Social Security's RSDI | | | | experienced and highly credible Social Security lawyer |
| program, an individual must be fully insured based on | | | | for proper guidance and representation. This will |
| the rules and criterion of the SSA. This is by working in | | | | increase the chances of having a positive result. |
| a covered employment and paying his monthly | | | | Know more information about your Social Security |
| contributions to acquire a certain number of credits | | | | Disability and RSDI benefits with the specialized skills in |
| required. Such number of credits is based on his age | | | | Los Angeles social security lawyers. |