Q: My father had a lot of health problems last year and hasn't been able to return to work. He collected short-term disability insurance provided by his employer but has been told that will be ending soon. He isn't quite old enough to collect Social Security benefits and doesn't have the financial resources to survive without additional assistance. Won't he automatically be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits? - Anonymous

A: According to studies a "20-year-old worker has a 3-in-10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age." The majority of workers most likely worry about planning for financial security in their retirement, making sure they invest in the right accounts and save as much as possible throughout their career. What they rarely expect or plan for is the inability to work to full retirement age due to an accident or unexpected illness.

Social Security provides financial benefits to individuals who have earned the required work credits and meet the definition of disability. Work credits are based on total yearly wages or self-employment income; the number of work credits needed to qualify for disability benefits is directly related to the person's age when they become disabled.

It must be clearly understood that at least for a specified period of time the individual worked in a position in which Social Security taxes were deducted based on earned income. This is not necessarily applicable for all employed people - there are chosen career fields which do not fall under the Social Security system.

Referring to someone as disabled is going to have varying implications depending upon the situation. Social Security views disability as the person's inability to work. It is further defined as the person cannot do the work in which they previously earned a living, they cannot adjust to other work because of the specific medical condition and the disability is expected to last for at least one year or result in death. This does not include someone who would be considered partially disabled or unable to work on a short-term basis. Extensive medical documentation is required during the approval process and must show the individual's prognosis meets all requirements.

If an individual has been approved and starts receiving disability benefits before age 65 upon reaching full retirement age the benefit converts to retirement benefit but at the same amount.

This is a somewhat complex process and cannot be adequately explained within the limitations of this column. Anyone who questions whether they may be eligible for Social Security Disability should pursue the matter as soon as possible. Information is available online at www.sssa.gov or by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213.

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Rosanne DiStefano is the executive director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Do you have a question? E-mail to ro@esmv.org.