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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Gerald
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Sheila
I requested a copy of my file several months ago and when I called to check the status as to when it will be sent I was told that there is no set date or time period. I also try to verify that they have receipt of certain documents and they can not give me an answer other than stating that it is a paper file and they do not have access to it. I do not understand why there isn’t someone who I can talk to that can answer my questions.
Ray F.
We apologize for the delay and inconveniences you are experiencing, Sheila. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You should be allowed to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Sheila
Ok thank you, but I have spoken with my local FO manager and he has stated that the AC is a ” completely separate entity” and to contact them directly. I have spoken with staff at the AC congressional branch and I still do not know when I can expect to receive a copy of my file ( to be sure that it is complete), or when the hearing audio recordings and transcript that have been requested will be sent. I understand that you are unable to address personal information in this blog, and that is actually a good thing, but what scares me the most is that statistics on line seem to suggest that 89 % of the time requests for reviews are denied and I have already recieved that standard letter once before. It’s challenging to address such important legal matters with out an attorney and my case is such that I am extremely unlikely to be able to obtain one. I actually think that my case is stronger than most attorneys seem to think, but it’s a risk that they understandably are not willing to take. My local FO has been one of the biggest obstacles that I’ve had to face and that has not changed. I recently requested that a deemed filing date for the SSI application that was approved in 2003 to be backdated to 1999 when I submitted an SSI application for my son,due to misinformation that had been provided. I was immediately denied ( which is good in that they have previously delayed responses for over 8 months) but this should have been an initial determination with appeal rights, and once again no appeal rights had been given in the notice. The letter did not state that I did not meet one or more of the conditions; It just stated that it would not be addressed and was forwarded to the AC. It would be great if Social Security had an email address where claimants and recipients could correspond with staff to address specific concerns about a case.
Sheila
I just want to futher say that hopefully the majority of FO do not operate in the same manner as the One in Saco, Maine. The entire staff, including management need training in due process. This office has perpetually, intentionally, and maliciously mislead me pertaining to eligibility for benefits, proper procedures for me to follow to request reopening or to file appeals, has denied to take applications that I had the right to submit, has archived a current appeal, denied me the right to request a hearing and after finally being permitted to request a hearing they with held it in their office for over 1 month. In region one, the FO should sent a request for a hearing to ODAR with in 5 days. They have also refused to accept pay stubs to prove that I had not engaged in twp months, after much persistence only copied some of them and stated that it would be a waste of time to copy all of them. I then got a notice stating they needed all of my pay stubs so I went back into the office and they copied the rest of them. After they were still insisting that I had used 1 twp month and after a lengthy discussion they insisted that I was incorrect.
so I wrote a
letter to appeal and there after it was corrected. They also stated that after using the four twp that I had not actually used that a review was scheduled be use it would be the end of my twp. That by its self is blatantly wrong. They also tried telling me that my earnings are counted for when i was paid and not for when I worked. That is obviously false information too. They also with held evidence that I had submitted for my hearing, submitted a disability report that I had completed in 2002, stating that it was current and excluded a separate letter that I had written to supplement the report prior to my first hearing in 2003. They also failed to give me a deemed filing date based on misinformation for when I had inquired about applying for benefits in 2004 and they would not allow me to submit an application. I had submitted a written request to use the earlier date and submitted a report of contact form; both were entered as exhibits, but no deemed filing date had been given. I could go on but the general idea is that this FO is highly corrupt in my opinion and at minimum they need training on proper procedures to follow and training in due process.
Jeff
That’s terrible that you were treated that poorly!
I would write to your congressman and detail everything that you stated above, then add all of the other information….
I hope you do realize that you’re able to go to ANY other FO in your area.
It looks like there is an office in Portland Maine that wouldn’t be a ridiculous drive for you.
It’s located at: SOCIAL SECURITY
SUITE 150
550 FOREST AVE
PORTLAND, ME 04101-1505
I do understand that it is a hassle for you but if there is another FO that is closer to your location, you’re able to go there!
I would also write to your congressman!
Tonya P.
Ray,
Your answer is being our look. I am a retired 20 disabled Veteran and recieve Social security. I did realize that I had to pay taxes until the Social security inform me that I had to pay taxes on my social security. Because they combine my spouse income. I was well over to get tax exempt. Not everyone situation is going to the same, so to go on everyone’s word it’s best to call or review the website Ray put on this blog.
Jim B.
To all those severely disabled prayers go out to you.
But the SSDI system is filled with fraud…How come there are so many ambulance chasers advertising that they will obtain SSDI for individuals.? Because they get paid to do so..there are millions ripping off the system.
Explain the tremendous increase in people qualifying..
Fraud like every other govt entitlement..
Kevin M.
Why can’t social security be transfered to myIRA.gov and that would help with the problems of social security and would help the government deal with the problems its facing.
Louis H.
I am on SSDI and 63 years old. I was born 1953. My understanding is that if I remain elegable for SSDI until 66 my SSDI automatically stops and Social security takes over. My wife and I are the same age (one month apart). If I want to use a restricted application to wait until 70 can I do that? Can you go from SSDI to a restricted application and choose to get my spousal social security and wait until 70 to get my social security?
Ray F.
Hi Louis. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. In your situation, we suggest that you contact your local Social Security office directly. If unable to visit the local office, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Ronnie
If I want to work part-time while I’m on Disability (SSA) what is the limit of how much I make from Job?
Jeff
$1,130 is the limit.
To find out all of the information see this PDF document https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf
If you’re unable to open that document call 1-800-772-1213, the SSA national 1 800 number and request them to mail you the “Working While Disabled-—How We Can Help” pamphlet.
It fully explains everything that you are looking for, you’re welcome in advance.
Flagtime
My wife was out of the work force for over 20 years. Went back to work and worked for almost a year was injured at work and diagnosed with a disabling injury. Cannot work, we are told that she has not put in enough years for disability insurance. She worked for more than 10 years prior to break in work. Does anyone know if she is eligible for disability benefits? If not then please explain. Thank you for your assistance.
Ray F.
Thank you for your question. When it comes to qualifying for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, you must be “currently insured” or have worked long enough–and recently enough—under Social Security. Credits are the “building blocks” we use to find out whether you have the minimum amount of covered work to qualify for each type of Social Security benefits.Your wife can create a my Social Security account to review her earnings record; and see how many credits she has accumulated. See Insured Status Requirements for more information.
Herb
Mr Fernandez, can you tell me why SS withheld one year of payments on my wife’s disability and when it will be paid?? I asked the question last night on an entry above but have not received an answer yet. Thank you sir!!
t. f.
I get disability and it took 9 years going thru crap for work comp they tried to find a doctor to get me back to work and found nothing. I have worked 2 jobs most of my life mostly under the table, but I still worked and I only get $800 a mth, this is way below poverty level. Iam greatfull for that I had nothing before. I am sure there of us that live this way. I feel it should be a system fair for ALL the people. Someone needs to help the VETS and the HOMELESS. I gave given bags of box food smokes, toys etc. Make this a fair system all the way around.
Evonne
I have an attorney for about a year and a half trying to get my disability. Does anyone know why it takes so long. I have 3 disability health issues. Thanks for your help!
Ray F.
The length of time it takes to receive a decision on your disability claim can vary depending on several factors, such as the nature of your disability and how quickly we obtain medical evidence from your doctors or other medical sources. Please continue working with your attorney and the local Social Security office on specific questions about your case. For more information, visit “Social Security Disability Claims Process”. Thanks!