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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Dee
my husband has spinal stenosis, deg disk, barretts and a whole slew of back issues. he’s a driver/delivery person and his legs go numb quite often. if he got laid off, should he file for unemployment then let it run out and file for disability?
R.F.
Hi Dee, the Social Security Act sets out a strict definition for disability. We pay Disability Benefits 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. However, if a person believes they are disabled and meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability starting from when they became disabled. Your husband can apply online, which is quick and easy. He can also apply by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or he can contact his local Social Security office directly. Also, Social Security does not count unemployment benefits as earnings. For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability.
Richard
I am in turmoil right now trying to decide what I should do. I definitely need to leave my job of 32 hours with a government agency. I have the option of filing with SSA and through FERS. Or retirement through MRA +10. The federal employee retirement seems as if it isn’t worth all the worry, since there is enough filing with SSA. I am told I have to be unemployed to file for disability, so it looks like the only choice I have is the early retirement. Since I have only worked 13 years ((4 yrs in the Navy I paid the deposit for( I would make less than $500 a month plus a pension from another job of $120 a month. I have several conditions making it Impossible to do my work in the manner that I should. These conditions include chronic pain from chronic c-spine problems, I have had two surgeries and my VA doctors said they would only operate if I had some kind of life-threatening conditions. I also have a disease of my spinal membrane called arachnoisitis (and no, it has nothing to do with spiders.) It causes me severe lower back pain that makes unable to stand for long periods or sit for long periods. I also have diabetes, though I am doing well with my care. I have essential tremors in my hand. I don’t know what that is about. I do no the arachnoiditis has no cure. I may have something akin to Parkinsons but I’ve never been diagnosed for that. I don’t know what to do. I have very little savings, about $7,000 that I am planning to get a little piece of land and maybe a used travel trailer. But the VA thinks I’m rich and they want almost $3,000 in back copayments. Plus my rent is going up next month where I will be paying right at $1,000 a month for a Value Place room.. Any suggestions?
R.F.
Here is some information for you Richard. You can start receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, but if you decide to get benefits before your full retirement age, they will be reduced. We pay disability benefits 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. However, a person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program if they work. See Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If a person thinks that he or she meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply. For more information, and to see the process we use, visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. For further assistance, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or contact your local Social Security office directly.
Bernard M.
How come i can not get a access pass for new york state parks and i’m on SSI and and i’am very limited on things i can do . I’m Permanently Disabled , I’m in Chronic Pain all the time and have alot of medical problems ! And the same goes for my wife , who is on SSD . Both of us can never work again , because our bodies are so messed up ! But we at least want to try a lil camping , instead of sitting home all the time ! And here we can’t get a Access Pass to New York State Parks ! I think the qualifications are totally unfair !
G R.
My spouse has never worked and has Parkinsons. Are there any benefits she is eligible for based on my work history. I am starting SS this August. If no, can she get the “disabled” status as many other benefits ( tax breaks) are only available if you are disabled under SSA guidelines but she can’t get that because she never worked. i.e no benefits but disabled status from the SSA
R.F.
Thank you for your question Mr. Heinz. Your wife may be eligible for disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. The amount of SSI benefits is based, in part, on the income and resources available to the individual. For SSI eligibility, we will take into consideration any income and resources available to you, as the spouse.
In addition to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, your wife could also be eligible for Spouse’s Benefits on your record, even if she never worked. She must be at least 62 years of age and you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
SUE M.
LOOKS MORE LIKE SOMEONE DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THESE STATEMENTS!!!!
SUE M.
WHY?
SUE M.
I WAS ON DISABILITY, AT 65 IT CHANGED TO RETIREMENT, SAME AMOUNTABOUT 700.DOLLARS A MONTH TRY LIVING ON THAT! VERY HARD!
Claudia
Its amazing how people are so stingy to the extent of being willing to die than spend money on their health! have you ever heard heath is wealth? In anycase i dont need you to make purchase from me to survive, i get clients everyday and i send herbal medicine to my clients abroad everyday you can find attached receipts of different clients around the world i send herbal medicine to everyday. May God help you!
Cheyenne W.
My son has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, his heart is only working at 10% his doctors have told him he cannot work. The thing is he is only 20 and has only worked 3 months for a seasonal job. Will he qualify for disability.
Marie
My twin sister was approved for 100% disability and there is nothing wrong with her. She goes to the gym, goes to the park with her dog and on vacations on a boat with her boyfriend. Takes pain pills all day and every now and then remembers she has pain. Very unfair. My 83 year old mother can’t get a handicap sticker? What is wrong here? The doctor and lawyers I guess have a lot to do with it.
Jen
Marie, I agree with you. The SSI is just a scam that denies people that truly needs it while giving it to people that knows how to lie with there corrupt lawyers and doctors. The dss administration is also same way.. it’s for people that know how to lie and work the system. It’s all how you word things.
john
Please help me out here!!! I was approved for ssdi in 2007 OK however I had a attorney handle my claim from the beginning well waited 18 months kept turning me down until final hearing with judge then got approved but I called my lawyers office because area months later now it’s 2007 I talked with a lady on phone to get my info of what happend with apppeal well she said I was denied OK so now it’s 2015 my friend and family helped me out this entire time OK I tried to work but could not rid part-time off and on last 9 years with family still helping out OK well I go back to same attorney and tell them I want to apply again I have lupus , kidneys problems c h f , dreams legs and chronic pain OK now this lady at office comes out says sir you was approved in 2006 and you have back pa y owed to you we already was paid ! ! ??? I was in shock I couldn’tbelieve this and I asked them why didn’t U get hold of me and why was I told I was denied???couldn’t tell me also I wanted them to fix it but they said they was done and I have to do it OK. I was mad upset you name !!! So now what should I do ? Hire a attorney or try doing my Self ? My condition is really bad I can’t walk on my own I use walker or wheelchair when available till I get my own I just got out of hospital last week was in hospital for 3 months now I’m on home health nurses phy therapist social workers U name it they come to my house and this at home thing is for long term now whats best way to get my money that’s owed and my monthly check going asap my family can’t help me like before and my friend can’t either I’m going to be on the streets so it can’t take to long I hope and pray please help me out !!!! Thanks. Joihn
R.F.
Unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. In your situation, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office for further assistance.