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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walter g.
my name is walter germe i have papers in my box sayingthat im being thrwo me off i have not done ANYTHING WRONG PLERSE HELP ME
DALE M.
Can a person work while filing for SS Disability? I understand once disability is granted the person can no longer work.
J.Y.
Thanks for your question, Dale. Whether you are receiving Social Security or SSI, it is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that
could affect your benefits. Learn more information by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. We do ask that members in our Facebook community contact our offices with questions about their specific case. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment. Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
carolyn v.
lpI worked until 73 . and have chroncic back problem also knee and joints I am in pain management nothing helps, could I draw social sec and disability ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Martha f.
Does a hub or irregular heart .does it qualify disability?.
MaryLou H.
To whom it may concern, my father had a severe fall in Jan 2018, and had to get a hip replacement. He now is in a wheelchair due to he cannot walk on his own. He has gone through Therapy/ Nurse coming to the house. He also has a bad case of Dementia. My father is only getting social security. Is he able to get Disability also?
Rick
Does ss disability provide home care for its receptients that live aloneness?
R.F.
Hi Rick. Social Security does not provide these services. You may be eligible to receive assistance from the state where you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. We hope this helps!
Keith h.
My son is 60 yrs old has cirosis of the liver, bipolar , and hep. C, I don’t know how he can survive without medical help and a little assistance.
Keith h.
Where can I go to get help with med bills and a income I can’t work to weak.i need a little help now
R.F.
Medicare.gov – the Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare.
Michelle G.
I had been hospitalized for 3 years in a row all in the same month march, for shortness of breath. They thought it was asthma. The last time which was this year, they hospitalized me for a week. Which they ran lots of test and determined I have COPD. The symptoms I had were shortness of breath, tired, and coughing. Oxygen doesn’t seem to help, medication wasn’t helping too (Spiriva and Advair plus nose sprays).although my doctor was wanted me to use it, to reduce symptoms and slow down progression but I could not tolerate them for long due to severe side effects. I decided to adopt a more natural approach and started on COPD Herbal formula from Green House Herbal Clinic, the COPD natural formula immensely helped my condition, i had a total recovery from COPD with this natural herbal formula treatment. Green House Herbal Clinic official web site I feel alive again! The coughing, tiredness, shortness of breath and other symptoms has subsided. I am very pleased with this treatment. sometimes i totally forget i ever had COPD,Don’t give up hope, My family are amazed at the change and rapid recovery from COPD. Needless to mention I haven’t smoked since the procedure and I enjoy walking the dog for my daily exercise