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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Portia G.
I need to request a 1099 for 2017 for Harold Duane Gunnerud.
I have been searching your web site for a Social Security Phone number so I can order the 1099 for my husband so I can file my taxes for 2017. We also need to change our address. I do not want to render our Social Security
numbers on line for secuirity reasons. Our names are:
Harold Duane Gunnerud and
Portia Louise Gunnerud. Wemoved from 1245 Springfield Avenue , Reedley California 93654, the new address for both
of us is 4119 W. Walnut Ave., #312, Visalia CA. Mr. Gunnerud is living in a nursing home in Visalia. Our son, Charles J. Gunnerud has the poweer of attorney for both of us,however, I take care of our business dealings such as filing taxes. I have a severe vision disability and Ido not drive. If we can order the 10999 by phone we would appreciate it . Iwillbe home tomorrow am and would appreciate a phone call or, an E-mail with the phone number.
I cannot fin d a phone number anywhere on the web sitte probably due to my inabilit y to see properly with having Advanced Macular Degeneration.
Please respond and call or E-mail as soon as possible. E-mail 55stillallive@att.net
J.Y.
Good news! You can get a replacement Form SSA-1099 quickly and easily by using your online my Social Security account.
Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on our Social Security Matters blog. Thanks!
Nancy l.
Since I am 68 years old, alone, disabled, and only have 39 credits registered with social security (although I worked as an Rn in park plaza hosp in Houston, to 1991 for the last 40th ss credit) and can receive no benefits, have no income or assets, and the state of Tx has advised me that there are no health or welfare programs that are available to me, please tell me what happens to my 39 credits when I kill myself.
R.F.
Hi Nancy. Generally, you will need to have 40 credits, or 10 years of work paying Social Security taxes, to qualify for any type of Social Security benefit. In 2018, you can receive one credit for each $1,320 of earnings.
If not eligible for Social Security benefits, the contributions that a person and his or her employers have paid in during the person’s working years remains in the Social Security trust fund.
Justin C.
Is their any help through social security to help you get your driver’s license?
John C.
I get a retirement of 240.08 and S.S ck of 837.00 a month ,I give my daughter 500.00 to live here and get looked after , had a brain stem stroke 2.5 years ago cant walk or stand have little use of left side so I need a wheelchair van but can’t afford to much
Johan B.
After my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis 2 years ago, i stopped all the Multiple sclerosis medicines prescribed due to severe side effects, and decided to go on natural herbal approach. My primary care provider introduced me to Rich Herbs Foundation and i immediately started on their Multiple Sclerosis herbal forrmula treatment, this herbal treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including shaking, muscle weakness, fatigue, mood swings, numbness, double vision and urinary retention all disappeared after the 4 months treatment! Their website is ww w. richherbsfoundation. com. Its just amazing!
Christine P.
I will be 55 in 4 months. Over 1 year ago I applied for SSDI for advanced Progressive MS. I was denied twice and am in queue for a hearing. As my condition deteriorates, I am told it will be at least 2 more years to make it in front of an ALJ. An ALJ previously found in my favor, in 2013 for a closed period, stating that my condition had been much more serious than the Arizona DDS had alleged. In my fully favorable determination, the ALJ commented on the fact that my medical records had been ignored by the DDS. Looks like the same old bag of tricks. This system is disgusting.
I will be well on my way toward the ripe old age of 60 if my case ever makes it to hearing. It’s not like I will be improving during that overly lengthy wait.
Ironically, the DDS asserted in my last denial that they expected my disability to improve and not last 12 months. I filed with a disability onset ov Nov 2016. There is no cure for MS and once you reach the progressive phase of the illness, it’s downhill, although the rate at which the decline occurs, can vary. In my case, chronic severe fatigue, heat intolerance and cognitive impairment from progressive brain atrophy. On top of this, my hip is torn and the opposing hip is deteriorating.
Truly evil and very broken process.
Maryah F.
I need to talk to someone about a letter I recieved about my benifits, I have been in school for the 2017/2018 school year-first byy benifits were droped in Dec 2017, after visiting the SSI, I was told that I need to get another letter, so I did and turned it in, now I have recieved a letter that stated that I should not been paid for this time and I should repay them, I am very confused and do not know what I should do. My name is Marah F Tailleur-under my Mom’s Patricia Amrine, by SSI # is *** – ** – *** my email is tishlout1@charter.net and my phone # is 970-628-4680. I tried to find a autotmated call option, but couldn’t
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation. Please continue working with your local Social Security office, or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. Thanks!
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John L.
my son is 46 years old, had two heart attacks , has 25% function, and has a defibrillator. Also has a breathing problem. He is a manager at a Burger king restaurant . he cant apply for disability because he still struggling to works, he cant quit work because he will loose all benefits, and cant go long without an income