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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brendakayetaylorbkt@gmail.com
My cousin lives in Jacksonville,Florida had 2 massive strokes,and a bleeding ulcer. Her job let her go. And ask has turned her down. How can she help from the government. When she has no one to help and speak for. She also has no transportation. Who can she can?
Does R.
I have stenosis. And spondylolisthesis. In my L4, L5, S1. Surgery is April 9th. It is severe. I’m 57. Do I qualify for SSD.
A.C.
We are sorry to hear about your condition, Does. 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 from working for at least 12 months. We use the same five-step process to make a decision on each application. You may also find our listing of impairments useful. If you feel that you meet our definition of disability, you can apply online. We hope this information helps.
BOBBY R.
i,ve had a stroke not a bad one but, they don’t want me ti drive, that what i do, i only drive 2 hrs a day. but they probably want let me drive. do to this.what do i need to do
A.C.
Hi, Bobby. We are sorry to hear about your condition. 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 from working for at least 12 months. We use the same five-step process to make a decision on each application. You may also find our listing of impairments useful. If you feel that you meet our definition of disability, you can apply online. We hope this information helps.
Candra B.
Good morning
My name is candra baker
I was just hoping that you can help me with my S.S.D.I. pls????
Some where around 2010 or 2011 i was getting$10,750.00 dollars for the first S.S.D.I.
now got marry 2010
Not marry 2011
Thank you
Candra Lynn Baker’s
A.C.
Hi, Candra. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.
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Debbie A.
I lost my trailer due to erson from someone that the fire marshall has a 5000.00 reward for.now i am struggling.i own my property.would love to get another trailer put back on my land.im payin 500.00 a month just for rent now,plus electric,gas,septic,and water.now i cant pay my land taxes cuz this is breaking me every month.i need help.what do i or can i do?
Denice
If you were injury on the job and won a law suit of about $85,000.00 before lawyer fees, medical bills paid out and you receive less than $63,000.00 can you apply for disabilty? If you can’t perform substantial work and your medical condition is expected to last the rest of your life.
A.C.
Hi, Denice. We are sorry to hear about your condition. If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability. Keep in mind 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 from working for at least 12 months. We use the same five-step process to make a decision on each application. You may also find our listing of impairments useful. Also, if you receive a payment from worker’s compensation, a public disability benefit, or a pension based on earnings not insured under Social Security, it may reduce your benefit. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information. We hope this helps.
Ignacio A.
I’m a USMC Veteran suffering from PTSD. I informed the security guard at 9:30 a.m. and I ask for accommodation. I was instructed to wait in lobby B near window 30. After 45 mins, the environment was getting loud, people were getting to close to me and my anxiety was getting out of control. I was called to the express window 15, I informed the SS employee I was dropping off medical records from VA Audie L Murphy Hospital. I was told my application was incomplete, I was instructed to wait in the lobby, I would be called by name to a window, and she couldn’t take my paperwork. I informed her I have PTSD. I was instructed to wait in the lobby. At 11:20 am I couldn’t take it anymore my PTSD was getting the best of me. I asked the security guard if I could speak with a manager, I have PTSD, and I’m about to lose it. I was told there were several managers, he couldn’t just go back there (I witnessed him going to the back and coming out with chocolate cake earlier), he declined my request to speak with a manager. I asked for a managers name he declined to provide a name. He suggested I come in the afternoon. (Office closes at 12 pm on Wednesday). I told him I would file a complaint, his reply “good luck sir”. As a USMC Service-Connected Disabled Veteran, I’m dissatisfied with Social Security Office staff and Security Officer poor knowledge of how to accommodate Veterans who suffer from PTSD. I did everything on line in an effort to avoid, limit, reduce exposures to PTSD triggers. The SS online services does not allow me to upload PDF files (medical records).