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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Amy H.
I’m already on SSI since I was 6 because I have sever Epilepsy and I have had 12 brain surgeries I just had one about 2 months ago because of the Epilepsy
George
For a family member is on social security disability and inherit 13,000 do He have to tell someone. Also, in the future He will inherit 100,000 will this stop his SSDI?
Ann C.
Hi, George. Thanks for your question. You may be getting our disability programs confused. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, on the other hand, are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For more information on the difference between Social Security disability and SSI, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
SManuel
Can I work part time when I am on total disability.
Judy J.
My son applied dir SS disability today. If approved there is a 5 month waiting period before he gets a check. Will that check be retroactive from the date he applied?
See c.
My son has stage 4 colon cancer and he applied for SS disability today. I understand there is a 5 month waiting period. Will his first check include payment for the 5 months waiting period?
Joan N.
I can’t believe that I owe as much as you say. If you are on top of things, you would have had me in review way before it got this out of hand.I didn’t know that I was getting over payment. So you made a mistake and I’m paying for it.
michele p.
I will be 65 this October, and want to know what medicare insurance I need to get and when and also how much will the premiums cost?
Ann C.
Thanks for your question, Michele. If you are already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact us about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you do not plan to retire at age 65. keep in mind you usually don’t pay a monthly Premium for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called “premium-free Part A.” You pay a premium each month for Part B, To learn more, visit our Medicare web page. We hope this helps.
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Robert D.
I have been getting the run around from ssi offices, Trying to get a copy of my court record on feb 3 2012
Robert Giddens
thank you
Susan J.
I need to know if someone is on social security disablitity can they receive and inheritance?
Ann C.
Hi, Susan. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, on the other hand, are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For more information on the difference between Social Security disability and SSI, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.