There’s Plenty You Should Know About Social Security Disability Benefits!
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Life is unpredictable. When something interrupts your plans, it’s good to know there’s a way to supplement your income, in case of an unexpected life event.
Social Security has a strict definition of disability based on your inability to work and provide for yourself and your family. Disability benefits are available only to people with impairments so severe that they prevent any kind of significant, profitable work. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.
We pay disability via two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program, for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to be eligible, and the Supplemental Security Income program, which pays benefits based on financial need.
When you apply for either program, we will collect medical and other information from you. Our disability examiners will make a decision about whether or not you can do work that you did before, adjust to other work because of your medical condition, and if your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or is likely to result in death.
Certain factors may speed or delay the decision in your case, like the nature of your disability and how quickly we can get your medical records. We may also need to send you for an additional medical examination at no cost to you.
If you would like to apply for disability benefits, you can use our online application. It has several advantages, including immediately starting the process, no waiting to get an appointment, and no trip to a Social Security Office. It’s easy, convenient, and secure.
You can find out everything there is to know about disability benefits online.
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Tags: Disability, Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Jacqueline L.
Am I eligible for ssdi.?
Ray F.
Thank you for your question, Jacqueline. Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI, pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. 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 thinks that he or she meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply as soon as they become disabled. Click here for more information.
Connie B.
I applied for social security disability in 2016, was denied. I hired an attorney and was denied again. It has been waiting to go before a judge since Sept 6,2016. I have no insurance because I can’t afford it. How long does it take to get disability. I am getting behind on my bills and am really stressing.
Ray F.
Hi Connie. 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. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process. Visit our “Hearing And Appeals” web page for more information, and continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. You may be eligible to receive benefits from social services in your residing state, while you await a medical decision. These services could include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other matters. To get information about services in your area, please visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web site. We hope this information helps.
Thanks !
Patrice G.
Hey I dont know where ou live but my lawyer got mines on the first try. His name is Ogle Elrod $ Baril 8655461111
Jillene
I applied for disability and was denied in 2016. I never appealed because I needed to work. I recently applied again in August 2017 due to worsening medical conditions. My pcp limited my work load to 16 hours a week until he could figure out my chronic condition. My employer recently terminated my employment. At the time no one will hire me because I am not released from my doctors care, I can’t receive unemployment because I am not available for full-time work. My condition is limiting to standing or sitting for certain amounts of time. Any help or advise is appreciated
Ray F.
Hi Jillene, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state that you live, while you wait for a medical determination on your disability claim. 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 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.
Virgie G.
why is it that you urge people who can’t even speak English [proving that they are not citizens ]to apply for ssi when you deny these benefits to legal CITIZENS
no wonder SS is going broke
thomas k.
their not going broke part of the deficit is the us government stealing the money the government can take campegin funds and retirement pay away from politicans and pay it back
Richard W.
Hello, I was classified a disabled by Social Security and I am receiving SSI and was told I would not be able to work. I am also a veteran rated at 100% permanent total and I am not allowed to work because of my disability. I have been told by other veterans that they do not have to pay taxes on their SSI because they are 100% permanent total and unable to work. Please send me an Email Thank You
Richard W. Townsley
Ray F.
Hi Richard. First of all, we want to thank you for your service to our country. Since we do not have access to personal information, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media.
Also, some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your benefits. For further income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
Someone
My question is this. If you have a medically documented disability that meets SSA’s definition of disability, but have to work because you cant survive without working for 6+ months while waiting for a decision. Even though the work is physically exhausting every day. How is this handled?
If SSA told me that a decision would be made within 2 or 3 months, I would stop working because I could survive for that long without supplementing income.
Ray F.
Processing an application for disability benefits can take three to five months. 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 doctor or other medical sources. A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program if they work. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2017, the SGA limit is $1,170 per month (or $1,950 for blind applicants). In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work. For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. We hope this information helps.
Someone
Thank you for the information. So if I am currently working and making over $1,950, even though medically I qualify for SSA’s definition of disability, I would be denied? Can I stop working after speaking to a representative and asking how long the process might take? I can’t lose everything I have worked hard for while waiting for a decision even though I am medically disabled. Anyway its been about 3 weeks since I submitted my application and have not gotten a call from anyone.
Robert H.
Just got approval. I quit my job I’m May 2017 because of disability and was approved in September. I had LTD in the job I just left. Can I claim that now that I qualify for disability?
Jessica
why is it merely impossible to speak to an operator for disability insurance. After being put on hold for 15 minutes the phone gets automatically disconnected.
I merely want to report I have returned back to work, and no matter how I tried to convey the message to EDD it did not go through. there are no forms on line for reporting such thing. believe me I went on line and searched on my personal EDD site and googled until vows came home to no avail.
can someone provide me good info so i can report my return back to work. The last time when I returned to work and even though i reported to them i had gone back to work they made payment and after a week they treated me like a fraud and demanded their money which I immediately returned it.
Ray F.
Hi Jessica. We’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone. If you’re trying to contact Social Security about your work activity, call 1-800 772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We sometimes experience higher than normal call volume. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day. To contact the Employment Development Department (EDD) visit their website at http://www.edd.ca.gov/. Thanks!
Jean
if you are able to draw unemployment and you are waiting on a reappeal decision on your diability can you start drawing your unemployment? would it effect their decision of approving your disability?
Kenny O.
Hi Jean. Unemployment insurance benefits are not counted under the Social Security annual earnings test and therefore do not affect your receipt of Social Security benefits. For more information about receiving Social Security and unemployment at the same time, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps
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