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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Debra
Social Security can help is JOKE. I have tried 3 times in getting help and now Ive come to a point Ive got to beg because my depression has manifested really bad the last year going thru menopause until its days I just cry all day and my energy level is just drained. Its become to debilitating for me to handle now. I applied again online Jan 19 to find out didnt qualify not knowing I applied for SSDI instead of SSI which the system question is to conflicting to know which one but depression sometimes makes hard to concentrate to get things right sometimes but I need some assistance so I can halfway live off the $733. Was on the phone today w/the Monroe location here in Memphis for 34mins who had no earthly idea what he was doing so I could an appt to go in straighten this mess out n still didnt get the appt cus he say the computer screwed up which was lie. He didnt know what he was doing..HELP…Im tired of begging for help w/this agency! I’m on the brink of suicide
Tonya
My mother gets disability. She is only 62. 2 weeks ago she had her 2nd massive stroke which has left her unable to talk clearly, use her right hand( dominant hand), and has left her unable to walk. Can she get some type of medical insurance even though she isn’t 65 yet?
R.F.
Hi Tonya. If your mother is receiving Social Security disability benefits, she will be automatically enrolled in Medicare after she receives benefits for 24 months. We start counting the 24 months beginning with the month she was entitled to receive disability, not the month when she received her first check. Individuals receiving disability benefits may also be eligible to receive social services from the state in which they 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 or welfare office. Or you can visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. We hope this information helps!
Anthony S.
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Anass
I have disability critical medical issue i have Seizures Disorder, and head surgery 3 times since i was born, unable to breath from nose only mouth & hard breathing nose, hard sleeping, and more….etc i got Denied yesterday i feel soooo mad and angry they said i can walk i can sit i can move 🙁 they made bad decision they said i’m not disable
well i think they need to see me face to face to see if i have disability or not because for doing this via mail or online it’s not enough
Now it’s time to become ineligibility for benefit SSI and stay without Government Benefit so living with food stamps & Medicaid only without SSI
1. i got Denied SSI
2. Military U.S Army Denied me to join (Medical Issue)
3. Jobs Denied me to get job Since i born got 1 job McDonald’s and i resign after 60 days on 2012 because of (Medical Issue) i couldn’t being Patient at job i was working just 3 hours per day for 5 days
Annette
My husband has been trying for years to get SSI or Ssd and they keep denying him . He worked at ground zero as a debrie removal the 2 day it happened and now he has severe asthma,cold a bad cough that makes him lack breathing also sleep amnea. We have been seeing a lot of doctors and they all said he can not work and I’m still waiting for a court date with the administrated judge to see his case again. Now what, my lawyers said we have 331 days left to wait. Finiacial we are not stable. What can I do?
Christine H.
Anette get all documents from the doctor stating that your husband cannot work that’s the most important thing you can do it all has to be documented then I feel so bad for your husband my prayers go out to you and him sincerely Christine Hawkins
cin
Not sure where to go ask? But I need to know would I qualify. And I have diabetes type 1.I’m insulin depended my whole life. And I’m already get benefit for my son disability. Can i apply?
R.F.
Disability Benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or result in death. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. You may find our listing of impairments useful. If you think you are disabled, you can apply for disability online. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday if you need further assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Katie
My mother was just told she does not qualify for SSI–her only income due to her disability is her Social Security…and she is $50 over the income limit of $733 a month. How a person can afford anything on that pitiful amount is beyond me. No one should have to choose between food and medication. How can she apply for SSDI? We don’t know yet if she will ever be able to return to work.
Heidi
Can I reapply for SSI if I lose my SSDI case because of my Date last Insured ran out ?
R.F.
Hi Heidi. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need. Generally, when you apply for disability benefits, we take applications for both programs. Remember that disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. To see if you are eligible and to schedule an appointment to apply for SSI at your local office, call us at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day or later in the week.
Heidi
My question is If I’m in an Appeals after being denied now by an ALJ because disability wasn’t proven by my DLI but now my disability IS worse than before and can now be proven and my income is zero. Can I start a new case and reapply for just SSI?
Lori W.
1. Who answers these questions? Is it anyone officially with the SSA?
2. I have been waiting for nine months for a hearing after the SSA asked me to opt for a telephonic hearing to get one sooner; when I call the SSA, they tell me it takes 12 to 18 months to get a hearing date (I have an attorney and am awaiting an appeal). Why does it have to take so long to get before a judge?
R.F.
Hi Lori. Yes, we have an official social media team dedicated to posting official messages and responses to customer inquiries or comments that specifically address Social Security Administration (SSA) issues. Our official agency responses will always include the SSA seal. The length of time it takes to get a hearing 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. Please continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.