Disability

Social Security Observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October 31, 2018 • By

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Last Updated: October 31, 2018

In October, we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in the United States. For more than 70 years, NDEAM has promoted disability inclusion in the workforce and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities. This year’s theme “America’s Workforce: Empowering All” is near and dear to us at Social Security.

We are with you throughout life’s journey and as we’ve said before, we understand that for millions of people, work is more than a source of income, it’s a part of who they are — it gives them purpose, pride, and another connection with their fellow Americans. While many of our beneficiaries have disabilities and are unable to work, we know that some may want to try. If you’re ready to return to the workforce or work for the first time, we can help. Our work incentives rules make it possible for people with disabilities to work and still receive monthly benefits and Medicare or Medicaid.

For disability beneficiaries, work incentives include a trial work period, an extended period of eligibility for Medicare coverage, and more. For Supplemental Security Income recipients, work incentives include work-related expenses if you are blind, earned income exclusions, educational training exclusions, and, in many states, continued coverage under Medicaid. Read our Ticket to Work blog— particularly our posts on “Work Incentives Wednesdays”— or The Red Book: A Guide to Work Incentives for more information.

Being prepared is the key to success. Our Ticket to Work program offers beneficiaries with disabilities access to meaningful employment with the assistance of employment service providers called employment networks. Employment networks prepare you for the workforce. Our beneficiaries get help finding a job and staying employed, as well as receive instruction on their wage-reporting responsibilities to Social Security. Learn more about our Ticket to Work program to see if it works for you.

Improving our work incentives programs to better support the work efforts of people with disabilities is important to us. We are collaborating with other partners like the Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services to test new programs that can help individuals remain in the workforce after acquiring a disability. We’re also testing simpler work options to our current work incentives to encourage disability beneficiaries to try work. These tests rely on volunteers — learn about these demonstration projects and look out for your chance to participate.

Remember that Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow. You can help us empower all by sharing this information with family and friends.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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    If a husband is on disability and dies, does his wife begin receiving his disability payments?

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  10. Mary

    My 56 year old son is facing disability, and we want to know how long you have to be off work before a claim is considered?

    • V.V.

      Hi Mary, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources.

      Social Security pays only for total disability, no benefits are payable for partial or short-term disability. If your son is unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death, he should apply online.

      Applying online for disability benefits offers several advantages:
      • He can start his disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment.
      • He can apply from the convenience of home, or on any computer; and
      • He can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving time and money.

      If he is unable to file 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 to make an appointment. For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. Thanks!

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