If You Have a Disability, Social Security Can Help
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 8, 2015
October is Disability Awareness Month. For Social Security, disability is always at the forefront of our conversations. We hear stories daily about Americans living with disabling conditions who need help from the system they contributed to during their working life. Their stories make us proud of the work we do.
Through our Faces and Facts of Disability website, we share the stories about what it means to receive disability benefits from Social Security. The site highlights some of the people who benefit from our programs. We believe that learning the facts and hearing peoples’ stories about disability allows for a better understanding of what’s perhaps the most misunderstood Social Security program.
The Social Security Act sets a very strict definition of disability. Social Security pays benefits to insured people who can’t work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. The impairment must be so severe that it renders the person unable to perform not only his or her previous work, but also any other substantial work.
Social Security doesn’t provide temporary or partial disability benefits. Because the eligibility requirements are so strict, our disability beneficiaries are among the most severely impaired people in the country. Our new online resources, the state disability fact sheets and our national disability issue paper, provide specific information about our recipients’ demographics by state and congressional district. These resources are proof of Social Security’s economic impact and benefit to our most vulnerable citizens.
Disability is something we don’t like to think about, or we may think it can’t happen to us. But the odds of becoming disabled are greater than we realize. The Social Security disability program excels in providing services to people when they need it the most.
For us, disability has faces and names — among them Larry, Kiera, Ebbie, Charlotte, Jamie, and Christine. We want to invite you to come see their faces, and learn the facts. They are truly at the heart of what we do.
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Tags: Disability, SSA
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Frederick L.
Once last thing I forgot to mention. The standard forms to fill out for a disability are not ‘job friendly’ in that they do not conform to every type of job. I had many employers in a single year so it became very difficult to give SS all the information they needed for a specific job. My solution was to create a spreadsheet to outline, employers, rates, dates, job duties etc. My disability affected every aspect of my job and eventually I could not function and be hired. But most people have only one job or career so the forms will not be so difficult. Again, just outline your work timetable, dates, rates, duties, functions etc. ahead of time and it will make filling out the application much easier. With the interenet you will found many helpful hints and information to fill out your forms properly. The Social Security Admin is the perfect place to start and you will recieve the correct information. Call them if you need help, they are very accomodating.
Frederick L.
I see so many people complain about the Social Security Administration and benefits. What you need to remember is that there are strict rules for both types of benefits. In order to qualify you must meet those rules. The first thing to do if you are going to apply is RESEARCH the process, how it works and what is expected of YOU. Always keep good records for your illness or disability, this is paramount. When you apply you will recieve new paperwork to fill out. Give yourself some time, fill it out accurately and honestly, don’t rush, however return the paperwork in a timely fashion. Once it leaves your local office it will go to the Disability review board, you will then have to fill out more paperwork. Then you wait. I did all of the above, on my own, and the process took about 4 months. Occasionally you can check your application online, it will just tell you where the application is and if a decision has been made. When your application is in medical review, you can all your representative to inquire “if they need any other paperwork”, DO NOT ASK HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION YET. These SS workers have hundreds of cases at a time and they work on them as recieved. But to make sure you were not lost in the shuffle, do check on your application. Again, research the process, review your own medical records, make sure your doctor sends your medical records when requested and follow up with them (the Dr.), take your time filling out the application, be honest and accurate with your timeline. Good luck to those applying.
Jennifer S.
My Boyfriend is an HVAC guy had a heart attack 2 yrs ago that has done damage to it.. his heart is only beating at 20% and hes really week but has to keep working cause of bills hes being sent to a heart transplant doctor my question is hes fighting to stay working cause of bills but shouldnt be working..does he have to quit to apply??
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Hello Jennifer: We are sorry to hear about your boyfriend’s situation. Social Security pays disability benefits under two different programs Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program. Please see our Disability Planner: Social Security Protection If You Become Disabled for more information on qualification and application.
Hope this helps.
Gary F.
Gary Ferone, Stamford, CT is the franchise owner of Assisting Hands Home Care which provides home care services such as preparing meals, helping with daily routines, housekeeping, assisting in shopping, etc. to elders and disabled individuals
Gary Ferone Stamford
Anna a.
I got a partial disability from a judge last yr but social security says it doesnt exsist. The reason I got it was because I had to have implants put in my eyes and because I had a brain tumor that was begning taken out. I had been working on my disability since 2012 that was prior to the judgesruling but she gave me a lump sum I got like 4000 but I only recieved two thousand the lawyer got the rest but I dont think this is fair because I cant work. Im still under a doctors care for another yr and a half for brain tumor plus I have stenosis and degenerative disc disease I have to take shots every three months for my back there are days I cant get out of bed for awhile because my back hurts so much. I cant draw disability because social security doesnt see my back problem as an issue and my brain tumor. It stae the even if I had a brain tumor removed and it was begnin and I had the disc desease that that was cause for disability is that not true.
David
Yikes, if what you say is true about your lawyer taking 50%, you might want to look into that. Not even sure if that’s legal. I believe it’s capped at 25%?
R.F.
Social Security assumes than an attorney or an appointed representative will charge a fee when representing a claimant, unless the fee is waived. Under current law, when the Court issues a favorable decision, we withhold (up to) 25 percent of the claimant’s AND the claimant’s auxiliaries past-due benefits. A fee agreement, also limits how much of a claimant’s past-due benefits an attorney can collect: No more than 25% of your past-due benefits and that includes any children in the account, but only up to a maximum of $6,000. We hope this information helps.
Cheryl D.
My husband has Muscular Dystrophy, which has devastated his quads. He has continued to work only because we can not forgo the income. He is getting to the point where he really should not be working anymore. His job requires him to be on his feet & due to MD he falls regularly as well as having difficulty with basic movements. Is there a way to apply for disability while he’s working so that there is not a gap with his income?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Cheryl. Disability Benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result in death. If you are working in 2016 and your earnings average more than $1,130 a month, generally, you may not be considered disabled. In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work. If your husband thinks that he is disabled under our rules, he can apply for disability benefits online. Please visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability for more information. Your husband can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact the local Social Security office for further assistance.
V-Dog
These posts are very informative. My husband has been out of work for a little over two years. He woke up one morning seeing a fog in his left eye, his right eye no issues. (He does wear glasses and has been since he was a child) – In any case, the fog, grew larger and larger, unfortunately, he had no health insurance at the time, so I took him to the eye doctor and paid out of pocket. They then told me that he need an MRI done but I couldn’t afford to pay out of pocket. I then applied for health insurance online and finally got him to a doctor. They test him, no diabetes, cholesterol, everything normal (2yrs ago). He also has issues with his lower back and have trouble walking sometimes due to this pain. Now, the doctors have no idea what caused the loss in vision, when we went for Physical Therapy for his back, Insurance didn’t approve the “3” sessions. Insurance will gladly pay for the pain meds that husband refuses to take. – Now, fast forward to today, same scenario only absolutely no vision in his left eye. We submitted a claim for SSI Disability and are waiting to hear back but the Dr.’s Asst says we will be denied because he can see from his right eye. I am struggling to keep us afloat, does anyone know how this works and how long til we hear back? Also, his child support is through the roof now, since he can’t work and any money he gets going directly to that and not to my son, so this still won’t help me but it will help my husband’s daughter, who is in college. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
R.F.
Disability Benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result, end in death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide benefits based on disability: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. The SSI program is a Federal-income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income. There are special rules for people who are blind or have low vision. Please visit our Disability Planner: Special Rules For People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision for more information.
David
Yeah, there is no possible way he will be approved for SSDI. Not with just being blind in one eye. Remember, you have to not be able to perform ANY job.
Lenny
I just requested a withdrawal of my SSI application with my field office. How and when will I know that it is approved by the Social security administration?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Lenny. Generally, the field office will send you a notice, after your request is processed. You should receive notification within 30 to 60 days after we process your request. Remember that a withdrawal request does not become effective until the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves it. You can follow up by contacting the local office directly, or by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:p.m. See our Program Operations Manual for more information. Thanks.
Faith S.
Hi, first of all I just wanted to let you know that I have been disabled my entire life as I was born paralyzed from the waist down with spina bifida. And because of my disability that I was born with I get disability benefits not social security. I am a 27 year old high school graduate. And I have always wanted to be a special education teacher, and I was just wondering can I have a job as a teacher and still get disability benefits at the same time? And I’m asking this question because both of my sisters that I have lived with since both parents died 5 months apart in 2003 said that I couldn’t so is this true or not? I need answer please.
J.Y.
Thank you for your question, Faith. Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive their benefits. These rules are called work incentives. Also, Social Security offers a Ticket to Work program that is free and voluntary. The Ticket to Work program is for individuals ages 18 to 64, who are receiving disability benefits and need support re-entering the workforce or working for the first time. If you are interested in the Ticket to Work program, please call the Ticket to Work Helpline toll-free at 1-866-968-7842 (TTY 1-866-833-2967). Our publication “Working While Disabled- How We can Help” may also be helpful to you.
Jessica
This whole process is a joke. I’ve had 4 TIAs and one full stroke and I’m almost 30. The last one happened on the the job where I coughed up blood. I’ve been denied ssa, and the appeal, got a lawyer and I’m getting no where. I have so many rare diseases that r so painful that there r days I have to eat in bed on my side. This whole system is a joke if ur young. I suffer from strokes, angiodema, cervical dystonia, trigiminal, severe migraines where I can’t eat or move, Addison’s disease, ADHD, depression, bipolar, PTSD, asthma, stomach ulcers, excess, I’m allergic to just about every food with an airbourne peanut allergy which makes my anxiety worse when I go out, my heart rate runs from 130-257, I have complex partial seizures and another form of epilepsy, carpetunnell syndrome, and apparently this is not enough health conditions. Almost forgot, sometimes I wake up on the floor and don’t know how long I’ve been there. Also I have a tumor on my adrenal gland, along with spinal stenosis and a bad memory. I’m getting ready to have someone drive me to Springfield at this point.