The Disability Insurance Program – Securing Today and Tomorrow for 60 Years
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Social Security provides financial benefits, services, and information to help support you throughout life’s journey. On August 1, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Social Security disability insurance program.
Enacted as a part of the Social Security Amendments of 1956, the disability program is an essential lifeline for many workers and their families. People earn this benefit by working and contributing to the Social Security fund. It reinforces a deeply rooted American value – providing financial protection for those who can no longer do substantial work.
Lawmakers considered establishing the disability program as early as 1935, when Congress passed the original Social Security Act. However, policymakers could not reach consensus on how to effectively administer and fund it. Nearly twenty years later, in 1954, Congress established Social Security’s first disability program. It provided a “disability freeze” for disabled workers, which protected a worker’s retirement benefits by not penalizing workers who could not contribute to the Social Security program during periods of disability.
Some lawmakers were concerned about potential program costs, the difficulty of deciding disability claims, and the availability of other assistance. In that contentious climate, it took tough negotiations to create our modern disability program. On August 1, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the program into law.
The Social Security Act sets out a strict definition of disability. We pay benefits to people with a severe medical condition that prevents them from performing substantial work and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Social Security does not pay benefits for partial disability or short-term disability. Social Security disability beneficiaries are among the most severely impaired in the country and are more than three times as likely to die in a given year as other people the same age.
Today, the Social Security Disability Insurance program provides a financial safety net for millions of Americans. You can visit our Faces and Facts of Disability website to read stories about people currently living with disability. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow.
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Retiree
We were all young and we had a chance to work, and prepare for our future. Some people just don’t do it and when they become old or elderly it’s much too late. Most have not been disabled all of their life, so they had a chance to save some money, but failed to do so and now we hear their complaints.
Peter W.
Can I be supported to be to start this program??
Peter W.
How do I connect in todays business, and msut compute correctly.
Herb
My wife was approved for disability but the letter stated that a years worth of payments were being withheld. Why and when will it be paid??
Ray F.
When someone is approved for Social Security disability benefits, we establish their monthly benefit amount first and then we work on paying any retroactive benefits due. We must consider other factors, such as the application date, the established date of disability and the five-month waiting period (benefits are not payable for the first full five month of disability), to make a final retroactive payment. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the high volume of pending cases in our payment centers. Please continue working with your local office in this matter. For specific questions about her situation, your wife can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Herb
Thanks for your response.
Kathy
Is the amount of benefits (specifically SSDI) accurate. I received a letter in the mail several days ago from the appeals judge stating that I am fully disabled.
How long does it typically take to receive a letter from my local office telling me the amount?
Ray F.
Hi Kathy, unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation and answer your questions about this matter. 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 directly. Thanks.
John O.
Social Security is required by law to review disability cases periodically. Your review is routine so don’t take it personal. Given your medical history there is no chance that you will be taken off of disability, so don’t worry. The nation is grateful for your service.
sara
very good
see this : http://rahyabmoshaver.com/آدرس-دانشگاه-علمی-کاربردی-بوشهر/
Manuel S.
A PERSONAL VISIT TO YOUR LOCAL SS FIELD OFFICE IS YOUR BEST BET WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT ANSWERS ON A CASE PER CASE BASIS. THIS WAY YOU GET THE RIGHT SCOOP FROM YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD EXPERT, AND LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED.
Sheila
I would not count on getting accurate information from your field office.
Scott A.
I am a 59 year old Retired USAF MSgt who (as of 28 May 15) has been rated not only 100% Service Connected, Totally and Permanently Disabled after my 10th Heart Procedure in 14 years (as of March 28, 2015) left me with Left Ventricle Dysfunction and the Coronary Artery Disease that has caused the need for eight (8) Stents and a By-Pass, but also Special Monthly Compensation for greater than 60% additional Service Connected Disability and meeting House-Bound Criteria.
Those Disabilities are eventually Terminal Illnesses the VA counts as “Service Connected” don’t include being diagnosed and treated (23 medications, injections, and inhalations, with an average between 4-6 Dr’s Appointments, Labs, and Out Patient Surgeries per month) for stage 2 COPD (which given my Heart Condition, leads to Congestive Heart Failure), Type 2 Diabetes, Insomnia, Sleep Apnea (eight (8) years to date on a Bi-Pap), Narcolepsy, Hypertension, High Blood Pressure, Developing Cataracts in my eyes and other Diseases caused by the Diabetes (all of which aren’t considered VA Service Connected).
Please don’t misunderstand, I am extremely thankful for SSA Disability Insurance; However, I received phone call from SSA stating that “I was expected to get better and they would do a re-evaluation in 18 months”. I think this is very cruel as four (4) of my conditions are extremely aggressive, incurable, and eventually end Terminally by themselves, let alone acting together!
They leave me with little strength, no quality of life, little hope, a realization that all of my Wife’s and my retirement plans will never be realized together, as well as worsening Depression and in a slow Mental and Physical Decline. Please tell me how, when I have my Cardiologists of 15 years writing a letter ordering me not to ever work again, the Veteran’s Administration rating me 100% Totally and Permanently Disabled for my Heart alone (stating “This issue will not be re-visited”) and issuing Special Disability Compensation and House-Bound Status; with all of my Specialists stating all they can do is maintain and slow the progression of four (4) TERMINAL Conditions (which will only get worse, not better) you can look into Your crystal Ball and say I’m going to get better!
My wife’s employer has even moved her to a work from home position to be closer to me. I fall with a cane on wet surfaces (knocking myself out for 2 hours at one point, can’t even shower without her here), walk distances with a prescribed Walker, my Narcolepsy causes me to fall asleep while cooking and keeps me from anything but local driving (mostly to appointments) and I’m not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds requiring me to sell my HD Heritage Softail Classic EFI (at a monetary loss not to mention my freedom it provided), I even have “Handicapped/Disabled Veteran” State Issued Plates on my vehicles with no expiration dates.
I know there are other people out there like me, that with a little due diligence, could be spared from being told such cruel things. You provide so many programs that help those in need. I don’t need to be told falsehoods and presented with the worry that somehow SSA is going to cut me off at 60 when everyone else forbids me from working and you would force me to wait 6 years and 7 months before your organization picks me back up!
Manuel S.
SINCE YOU ARE OF AGE 59 THEN YOU HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY. YOU SHOULD VISIT YOUR LOCAL SS FIELD OFFICE, FIND OUT WHEN YOU SHOULD FILE FOR SS. BE PREPARED YOU RECEIVE LESS NOW IF APPROVED, THAN IF YOU STARTED DRAWING SS AT YOUR AGE OF ELIGIBILITY WINDOW.
John O.
He already gets Social Security and is worried about a medical review. I lot could be done to ease the tension felt by others if it weren’t for people giving giving out bad advice and the advice that you give is rarely correct.
Ray F.
Hi Scott. 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 doctors 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.
Elodia M.
Hi I hope somebody xmcan help me. I became disabled back in 98. I am receiving SSD and just recently they cut me off because they thought I was doing substantial gainful work. It turns out that they missed a letter from my boss stating that I was working less hours and couldn’t lift more than 10lbs. So I get a letter stating that I still qualify for disability but I’m about to lose my home where I paid my rent on time until they screwed up and n oh well I’m still waiting for my check. It’s been since June, they sent me a partial check but when do I get my monthly check. They still owe me some back pay but I haven’t heard anything and when I go to the local office they don’t know anything. So what’s the deal? And now I just found out that I’m going to lose my eyesight because of some disease. So I won’t be able to work. The only reason I work against Dr.s orders is because what I recieve in disability isn’t enough to cover my bills I don’t know if I qualify for SSI and when I ask at the local office they ignore me. So how do I get answers about my check? And now that I have another disability how and what do I need to show SSD? I HAVEN’T RECEIVED A CHECK FOR JULY OR AUGUST. I can’t pay my rent next month and I have late fees on top of that Somebody please help me !!!!!!
Ray F.
Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this venue. Please continue working with your local field office, or call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm. Thanks!
Sheila
I would be stressed as well and feel the same as you do, but even if they do a medical review in 18 months, if your conditions have not substantially improved so that you could return to work at the SGA level than your benefits will continue. From what you describe, The odds of that happening are slim to
none and if for some bizzare reason they do say that you are no longer disabled, you can appeal and request that your benefits continue while their review is pending ( just be sure to request continuance of benefits within 10 days and an additional 5 days for mailing {15 days} from the date on the notice). They may not even start a review, and their is a good chance that they will not. I once was mailed a review, completed the forms and then recieved a notice stating that they do not need to do a review at this time.
Tx F.
I was receiving SS Disabled payments until I turned 65. At 65 SS changed me over to regular SS, but I am still disabled with a failed back fusion. Why the change?
Manuel S.
YOU SHOULD VISIT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICE TO FIND OUT THE DETAILS.
John O.
There is nothing “to find out”.
Sue M.
SSI is different than SSD. They should call Social Security to find out if they are eligible for other programs.
As for Medicare, they will automatically send a Medicare A & B card with a postcard to allow the cancellation of Part B. Don’t recommend cancelling Part B! If you feel you can’t afford it, contact your state’s human services agency.
John O.
You are paid out of a different trust fund and your payment stays the same.
Jeff
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI), nothing will change when you reach full retirement age except for Social Security purposes your benefits will be called retirement benefits instead of disability benefits.
The SSDI benefit that is paid is the maximum amount payable to the worker under his or her earnings record. It is higher than the benefit payment that would be paid for reduced retirement benefits. Therefore, if you are receiving SSDI, your benefit amount will not change when you reach full retirement age.
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you will get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.
Information about full retirement age may be found on our Web site at the following Internet address:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/retirechart.htm
Odaria m.
I am 64 years old I will be 65 in February do I contact Social Security or Medicare or do they contact me and also when I become 65 do I then get full benefits because I get SSI now
Marlene
No one will contact you. You have to apply for SS. Make an appointment. You’ll need your birth certificate and other ID…marriage certificate, etc. Good luck
Odaria m.
I get SS I now I I claimed early retirement I’m just concerned about Medicare and whether or not I will get full benefits at 65 because I work part time
Ray F.
Hi Odaria, if a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are permanently reduced. However, each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than any of the years that were used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. Finally, if you are already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. Click here for more Medicare information.
Manuel S.
SINCE YOU ARER ALREADY ON SOCIAL SECURITY YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICE TO FINDOUT WHEN YOUR WINDOW OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICARE WILL BE.
John O.
An SSI Claims Representative receives a diary list each month so as to contact SSI recipients to get claims for SS retirement or Medicare at 65. You should be contacted at 65 at least. You are probably not insured for retirement or you would have been contacted at age 62. Should you receive SS retirement it will offset your SSI by !00% except for 20 dollars each month.