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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Mark W.
In 2015 I received a notice for SS that they felt I was no longer disabled but I could submit an appeal. If I submitted an appeal I was told my disability payments and Medicare would continue until my appeal was resolved. However, my disability payments and my Medicare were stopped. I was evaluated by a SS appointed doctor who stated I was still disabled in a report he submitted to SS and I received a letter stating they considered me still disabled and they would reinstate my disability payments and my Medicare. This was in November 2015 and I was told it would take a few weeks. The SS Payment Center has still not resolved the issue and the local SS office is issuing emergent disability payments on an irregular basis. But my Medicare is still not activated and I am receiving calls from my doctor and hospital that they would like to be paid. I have worked with my local SS office in Prescott AZ and they have told me that they have done everything they could and it is now in the hands of the SS Payment Center. My wife is my caretaker and was forced to quit her job in order to take me to the doctors and watch over me due to my frequent seizures. We rely on this disability and Medicare to take care of my medical care needs. What does it take to get something like this resolved.
tracy a.
I am on disability and had a disability review and interview , they asked me if I have ever don any illegal drugs and I said 30 years ago, one time….I don’t recall ever being asked that prior when I had questions, not sure how I answered it, cause its been so long and it was like a minor almost non existent happening. do you think that will effect my chances of getting approved again?everything else should be fine?
Ray F.
Hi Tracy Annie. We understand that a medical review can be stressful. We conduct medical reviews from time to time to make sure you are still disabled, and we only evaluate factors that permanently affect your ability to work. Also, we obtain and consider medical evidence from your doctor or other medical sources, if needed. For other factors that we consider in reviewing your disability status, please read our publication, “What You Need to Know: Reviewing Your Disability”. We hope this helps.
Natasha
If I am already on it and ended up with Copd and on oxygen 24 hrs around the clock and cant work. Am I entitled to more income?
Wish I.
It is all one big fat government lie! You can provide all sorts of documentation that PROVES you have multiple anxiety disorders and get a denial that says “You get a little nervous at times.” SSA people call and ask if you would go through a psych eval, you reply “Please.” Denied, no eval either. It’s all just one big game to the high paid shrinks that never even speak to you. I wish I hadn’t worn my seatbelt that awful day because I would not be here in this nightmare now. Thank you, SSA, for nothing.
Christine H.
Sure Medicare pays for the meds for substance abue. But not 350.00 for the first visit for suboxin. Not for the 150.00 a month thereafter. The Dr say cash only no insurance accepted. Its a shame every since the pill mills closed down a GP takes a 4hr class and he a in authority on substance abuse and even their GP and they use Medicare for everything else they will not let you use your Medicare for the visits I was turned down three times by Medicare and they would not pay.I had every statement all documented and still Medicare denied my claim because they said my Dr. Was not a Medicare provider.one Dr. I saw told me after I have him350.00 for 1st visit if I wanted a walkout statment go find a 61st who accepts my insurance. All this because the laws for pain meds are so bad from one county to another in ::). No pain Dr would see me I had to get in suboxin. The pain I endured no one should have to endure. after a botched up back surgery I was sent to a pain management clinic with a renowned anesthesiologist who controlled my pain and when I moved I got thrown to the wolves
Carolyn M.
I am on Medicaid in KY. I am wondering ,will I loose my medicaid if I am approved for SSDI?
Ray F.
Hi Carolyn. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Each state has different rules about eligibility. Please contact your State Medicaid agency for information.
Carlo
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
http://burnsocial.org/blogs/53445/2152/primary-niche-pest-control-comp
DOUGLAS
IT DOESN;T MATTER WHAT OR HOW MUCH YOU GIVE SOCIAL SECURITY THEY SEEM TO HAVE AN EXCUSE FOR NOT GIVING IT TO YOU, EVEN IF YOU WERE GOING TO DIE, THEY WOULD PROBABLY JUST SAY OH!! YOUR GOING TO DIE, AND SO YOU WON’T BE NEEDING IT NOW, THATS WHAT THEY HOPE FOR SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO PAY YOU. I MY SELF WENT TO MENTAL HEALTH COUCLING FOR A YEAR, CAUSE I WAS HAVING BAD THOUGHS OF GOING TO THE LOCAL OFFICE WITH INTENT.
DOUGLAS
I GOT TO LAUGH” SENSE MY DISABILTY, AS OF 6/12/12 THIS LADY HAS LET ME STAY IN HER HOME, CAUSE I HAVE NO WERE OR NO ONE ELSE TO TURN TO. SHE GETS SSI, SENSE 1989 FOR A BAD KNEE, AND BACK FROM SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL SHE’S 42 TRS OLD, $ 730.00 PER MO, LAST YEAR AFTER I TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS SOMTHING NOT RIGHT WITH HER, AT THE AGE OF 10 COME TO FIND OUT SHE HAS WHAT THEY CALL PARTIAL AUTIZUM , CALLED ASHBURGERS, A SLOWER COMPREHENTION DISORDER, SO THEY APPLIED FOR HER, SHE GOT HERS IN 5 MONTHS WITH BACK PAY $ 5,000 I ‘M STILL FIGHTING FOR MONE YET I HAVE ALL MY WORK CREDITS, HANDED IN ALL MY SYSPTOM AND DR’S DIAGNOSE, MEDICAL RECORDS, OF C.O.P.D. DIABETES, FOOT NEUROTHOPY, BAD BACK/ KNEES/ ANKLE/ 24/7/365 CAUGHING UP PHYLUM FROM NEUMEROUS LUNG INFECTIONS, CONFINED IN DOORS =, ON OXYGEN/ TAKING BREATHING TREATMENTS, AND 9 MEDICATIONS PER DAY, BARLEY ABLE TO GET AROUND IN THE HOUSE ON A DAILY BASIS, THEY SAY ”THEY” THINK I CAN STILL DO SOME KIND OF WORK, BECAUSE OF MY AGE,EDUCATION, AND WORK HISTORY I’M 54 NO EDUCATION, STRAIGHT F’s ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WORK HISTORY 3 YRS AT A MILL, BEFOR IT CLOSED ITS DOORS, THEN DROVE ”FLATBED SEMI TRUCKS FOR 22 YRS IT TAKES ITS TOLL MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
Meghan
I have been applying and appealing for SSDI since August 2013. I have been very disappointed in the way my health has been investigated. Not one person has called to talk to my spouse, family, friends, previous coworkers, or previous employers. I have not been evaluated by any of SSD doctors. I have severe fibromyalgia, multiple herniated disks in my back, prior back surgery, and I am on enough pain medications and antidepressants to knock out a moose, yet I keep getting denied. They say social security is based on previous work, yet while I sit and wait for social security to make a decision, filing bankruptcy, fighting to keep food stamps so we do not starve, if I am denied again then if I reapply I will not have enough credits. I can barely get out of bed some days and I am getting more and more depressed. I have not heard from anybody at Social security in over 13 months. I feel like such a burden on my husband, like I cannot do anything. I seriously need help, before I cause me and my spouse to become homeless. My initial denial said that I was okay because I was not seeing a psychiatrist. They fail to take into account that to see medical professionals you have to have income. I am in a total catch 22. I cannot get social security due to lack of documentation and I cannot get documentation because I cannot afford to go to the doctor any more than I already am. I am barely able to afford to cover my pain management appointments, and medications every month and there are very few medications I can take for my depression because of my chemical sensitivity. So I see a therapist instead of a psychiatrist. Please help me social security. I do not know how much longer I can wait.
Ray F.
We are sorry to hear of the inconveniences you are experiencing Meghan. The length of time it takes to process your request for an appeal can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. Unfortunately, your situation is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. Please continue working with your local office on specific information about your case.
To see if you are eligible to receive social services or other benefits from the state in which you live while you wait for a medical determination, contact your local social services office. Or you can visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information.
Wish I.
You are not alone in that evil cycle.
Dennette
it all started in Aug.2006 work related accident (neck,rt.shoulder,lower back,left knee) 2 anthroscopic on knee ,rotator cuff surgery knee still gives away shoulder weakness and hand weakness,leaking disc in back with arthritis.I have been before the judge twice and both of them have given my doctors less weight in their decision my Mri and Ex Rays and my paper work tells my story .I didn’t apply for Ssdi until 2009 because I really did want to get better and return to the work force in 2012 I went to court in front of judge Catherine Harper (macon Ga) after her denial I appeal and it was remanded back to the same judge with an 20% approval rate .she’s no longer in macon Ga therefore I was assign to Judge Cam Oetter my court date was Mar.2015 I could tell his mind was made up before we got started. I received my denial around the end of June .My lawyer said that if I appeal I would have to go before him again and will get the same results Cam Oetter approval is around 25% I haven’t appealed been so depressed I have no more work credits I’m still going to the doctors with the help of family and friends Who will hire me like this (mind and Bodyaches)there are days I can’t even get out of bed my medication have me sleepy,irritable ,agitated,nervous ,forgetful ,confused I’m very depressed and sad I have worked two jobs my whole life I’m 51 will be 52 in January .please tell me there’s something I can do before I lose my mind
Jaik
Hi,
My mother was suffering from arthritis and we were thinking of a knee replacement surgery. On one of our friend’s recommendation, I got Nervica for my mum. It really worked for my mum. Her pain diminished by 80%.
Thanks