I have spinal stenosis arthritis osteoporosis RA arthritis slip dic and 3failed spine surgery on my spine. I have to take pain medicine for my chronic pain. I have to have a knee replacement surgery and my osteoporosis is really bad on my left side I don’t have enough work credits for SSD and I was injured at my work on 2005 and couldn’t work anymore in 2006 when I got my surgery on my spine Can I still get SSD I had Cigna for my long term disability but I was denied and I appeal it but my lawyer had quite me and left my appeal run out even though I had a good case please help

Hi. You can always apply for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits in order to get a formal determination of your eligibility. You say that you don't have enough work credits, though, so I don't know whether or not you'd qualify. The amount of credits, or quarters of coverage (QC), that you'd need to be able to potentially qualify for SSDI benefits depends on your age at the time you became disabled. Also, SSDI benefits can only be paid for months prior to the month that a person reaches full retirement age (FRA), so without knowing your age I don't know whether or not you'd be eligible age wise.

If you had to stop working due to your impairment in 2006 and if you had enough QCs to be insured for SSDI benefits at that time, it's not too late to apply. However, you couldn't be paid benefits retroactively for more than 12 months prior to the month in which you file your application. You may be able to apply online at ssa.gov (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/), but if you're unable to apply online you can apply by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213.

Social Security also administers a needs based benefit called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You don't need to have any QCs to potentially be able to qualify for SSI, but you wouldn't be able to qualify unless your income and resources are low enough to meet the requirements (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/).

Best, Jerry