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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bettyg
LRB,
kudos for you to answer so many comments above for being a VOLUNTEER and NOT PAID SSDI staff member!!
here is the ADULT LIST OF APPROVED IMPAIRMENT LIST for many of you asking if something is covered or not; check it out for yourself and read their definitions ok 😉
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
i used the above list to find the code numbers assigning them to all my MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION so that ssdi/dds could see I WAS ENTITLED to be approved for ssdi payments.
it took me 5 yrs. of hell to be approved! my lawyer QUIT me 4 yrs. into this mess.
i’ve also posted on the different subjects 3 times and NO SSDI REP EVER REPLIED PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY … shame on them!
their answers could help many posting here.
again, LRB, big thanks to you for going out of your way to share your own expertise !! hugs,
bettyg, iowa
someone commented they were DROPPED at 65 receiving disability payments.
YOU should then be receiving the SAME AMOUNT as a “retiree” vs. a “disabled” person … i recently was!
jimmyjet
Is terminal stupidity covered?
JOSE A.
I received a letter in where the office os Social Security tell me that I loose my benefits of incapacity, because I reach the age of 65 years old. I stiil have my incapacity and I use a standard cane for walk, because I has been observing increased R upper limb pain and R flank pain not responding to use of medicine of Tramadol. The pain is contant. I limp of my right side. .Did I still have the rights of keep my paid of benefits of incapacity?.
JOSE A PIZARRO PIZARRO.
jerry l.
I have 30 % I applied for more because I feel phycally I deserve it.Im 63 they are taking some of mine away after 20 years of service.
Daniel
Does Meniere’s disease qualify for disability?
Isftt
Please see listing 2.07 https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0434001012#di34001012_207
If the impairment does not meet the listing, then it has to be determined what functional limitations it causes and how that affects one’s ability to do one’s past work or any work in the general economy. Age and education are taken into consideration too.
roger
menieres is in the blue book , i also have menieres, along with essental tremors, copd, shoulder and rotator cuff disease and tendonsos in both shoulders, but guess what, constant denials,, honestly they should just take the listing out of the book cause, cause even if you have it, it dont make a difference.
James L.
Hi Daniel, you may find our listing of impairments useful. Keep in mind that Social Security pays disability benefits to people if they have a medical condition that has prevented them from working or is expected to prevent them for working for at least 12 months. We use the same five-step process to make a decision on each application.
Southcoastrandy@yahoo.com
To anyone reading this response it’s total fabrication. It’s lipservice at its best. The ss has been reviewing mine application since 2010. It’s still stuck in appeals. It was turned down for missing doctors records . The ss failed to request them from the hospital I filed the appeal 2 yrs ago. I had my court date they found the error and asked me to obtain the records for them which I did. Six months has gone by and nothing. Talked to ss last week they told me to wait. When I told them I can’t I have lost everything and my house is next. They told me that they tell people to move ton a camp ground. It’s free but you havery to move every 14 days. They said for me to register at the post office to receive my mail from ss. Now you know why our veterans are on the street. Speaking to some others on line two of which work at ss say it sometimeseems take seven years to get approved. Many people die before receiving their benefits. In fact the lady that I talked to that works for ss loves her job because she gets to call and let people know that their application has been approved. See said that there are so many people that die before receiving a dime that they have a name for it. So people don’t depend on social security. If you can work under the table some where and keep all your money it’s probably a better choice. Who knew that forty million illegals would get it right.
burrell.k.allen
It’s a slap in the face I had no idea what the government was about when I left for the Marines but it didn’t take long once I finally got to come home I’m actually speechless it is so amazing how so few can control and take away from their own people. I’ve got no hope left for the government except that it would all be replaced and those who have been taking should be on trial for treason and embezzlement of funds and deported to the middle east with the terrorists they are harboring.
DOUGLAS
I’M ON MY SECOND SET OF LAYERS NOW HAD TO START OVER, WAITING ON APPEAL DATE AGAIN, I SHOULD NEVER BEEN TURNED DOWN, AFTER ALL MY MEDICAL DIAGNOSES WAS PRESNTED, COPD/ DIABETES/NEUROTHOPY/ BAD BACK/KNEE’S/NECK/AND NERVE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT MY BODY, YA I’M ONLY A 54 YR OLD FLAT BED TRUCK DRIVER, OF 22 YRS, BUT IT TOOK ITS TOLL ON ME THEN I GOT SICK ON TOP OF THAT. FIGHTING FOR SSI OR SSDI FOR 3 1/2 YRS NOW, BEEN AND STILL GOING THROUGH HELL, FEEL LIKE I’M BEING KICKED TO THE CURB LIKE A DOG, LIKE A RAPEST WAITING ON A DNA TEST TO PROVE HE’S INNIOCENT SETTING IN PRISON, INHUMANE I SAY.
Dawn
i totaly hear ya Why do we teach our kids to work and put in for your future? They see me going through this and think what the hell for..If you get hurt or sick you cant have it anyway!!!
When my husband wasfighting for it ,he was knocked of a bridge, 3 back surgeries also, the auctioneer was in our driveway to auction off our house Needless to say they were kicked out because the night before we were able to beg 5000.00 to reaffirm and buy time AGAIN hang in there they tell me!!!
Jennifer H.
CLL (slow leukemia), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Graves Disease, PTSD Adult ADD, Panic Disorder, Fibromyalgia and Severe Carpal Tunnel both Wrists. 6 Doctors (including 2 of SS) and since Oct 2012 with a recon level to boot. I fall under the Multiple Disorders category and now have tumors and cysts growing in my abdomen. Appealed after Judge denied at ALJ and that was March of 2015. Health is declining, blood test numbers going up, daughter has to help me a lot (even type this)…I wrote President O, my State Rep AND my State Senator. Nothing left, thinking it might be best to give Guardianship of my Teen Daughter to Sister-(her care taking me is too much)…and I have had a large law firm pushing every current med record I have plus med list. Judge at Hearing said “I won’t count the Leukemia until you are on Chemo”. C.L.L. is a backwards leukemia (but ok-what about the fact *on paper* that the SS Dis Drs themselves concurred with my other Dr.s? And we disregarded? Last hope is my Senator…I won’t live to be 65 much less 50 to be “age eligible” and yes I have had work attempts and straight to the ER I go where they pump me full of zofran, Demerol and keep me overnight and up to a week. Yes folks write your State Reps and Senators and go to the Dr. Appts and most of all PRAY-(God is my only help)
Paul K.
My life partner has Parkinson’s Disease but has not worked the mandatory 40 quarters [10 years] contributing to the system. Most of her work was for Colorado’s P.E.R.A. Any suggestions on where she apply to get financial help. PD is a neurological disease and is fatal. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Cynthia E.
This is in regards to my sister, Sharon Louise (Helmick) Anderson. She has worked 35 plus years as a registered nurse (RN) and has had to retire from working due to her disabilities, but was denied SS Disability but was given her regular SS based on her age of 62 years.
Her life has been given to taking care of others and when her disabilities cause her to stop she is not consider after putting in all these years of paying into
SS .
I feel as a working nurse (RN) of 43 years that my sister is being discriminated against. She is not asking for anything that is not owed to her. We the American working people should always be given our due respect when it comes to these things that we have worked all our life for.
You the SS Disability should take another look at her case and issue her the proper status that should be given her. I do plan to write the my Congressman, Senator, and even the President of the United States on this decision of discrimination.
J K.
How does someone work in American be born in the USA and have such a time with SS. When there are people from other countries that receive SS and have never worked a day here. A,man can to our country then sponsered his mother to come to our country. He died, now she get SS under him! How and why?
Amanda W.
I just sent an e-mail mail regarding those facts. It’s under my gmail account. Now before they took my benefits away. I only received partial disability. My son who was born Autistic received nothing. And after a Federal Court Judge dismissed the claims made by your administration, SS refused to reinstate me. So since September of 2010 , They have with held my checks from me. And my health is a whole lot worse now. You should really look into my case. I have over 2000 documents, recordings. They sent me on a wild goose chase. So much for the oath they took to help the disabled. Not take from them.
Amanda W.
Just let me know if your going to look into my case or not. No one can survive like this.
Mary
My 26 year old granddaughter has recently been diagnosed with MS. She has not been allowed to work, and therefore it has been difficult for her financially. Medicaid is covering the cost of her shots but not for any of the other bills she needs to pay. Is there any chance in her getting SSI?
Lisa
She might be eligible but remember, her benefit amount will be based on how long she has been paying into social security. I believe there is a minimum number of years you have to be contributing in order to eligible, regardless of your disability. So, if she went to college, for instance, and hasn’t been working very long, she may get next to nothing.
Suzanne E.
they say the give me disability but I do not have it
Antonio G.
If a veteran has either has 100% Disability from the VA or 100% Combat Related Disability is he entitled to SS Disability? Gratefully appreciate your reply. Thank you.
bob
you are but dont do it. you wont get what you get now.
Janet W.
My son is 100% disabled vet. He took that paperwork to ss office and was awarded ss disability benefits. His son also received a check each month until his 18th birthday of almost 500.00.
jeanne l.
S.S.D.I. IF IT’S FROM MILITARY JOB RELATED. SHOULDN’T YOU RECEIVE V.A. DISABILITY PAYMENTS DEPENDS ON AGE, AND AMOUNTS YOUR RECEIVING FROM V.A. ARE YOU 65? GO UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY. GOV, AND LOOK UP YOUR QUESTIONS, OR ASK SOCIAL SECURITY STRAIGHT UP, THEIR NEAREST OFFICE NEAR YOU. I THINK YOU YOU ONLY CAN GET EITHER, VA, OR SOCIAL SECURITY. YOU NEED TO CHECK INTO IT, AND ASK QUESTIONS.
burr
yes you can get both. my husband is 100% service connected & also draws SS disability.