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, social security disability benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Ira
This is the best weblog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You understand so considerably its pretty much hard to argue with you (not that I basically would want…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Good stuff, just great!
http://www.memates.com.au/blogs/3360/20556/industrial-roofers-looking-to
Clinton
I moved to Bolivia.
The postal service here has not worked since December 2014.
I have yet to receive any letters from the states.
I am disabled considered March 2014.
When do I need to redo my medical to be considered disabilied still?
Ray F.
Thank you for contacting us Clinton. For assistance related to your Social Security benefits, please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate. This link includes the U.S. Embassy email address. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps!
Tom B.
The article doesn’t mention what happens when the governor(s) of your state reduce SSI faster than your SSDI benefits go up and you wind up in a hole that, given the moronic way in which COLAs are being figured these days, you will never climb out of. Allowing state governors to balance budgets on the backs of SSDI and SSI recipients somehow just doesn’t strike me as fulfilling the original intent of the programs.
Hope F.
Tom Bales, the amount of SSI is controlled by SSA, not governors. If someone receives SSI and SSDI and has not other income, they should receive combined monthly benefits is $755 in 2017.
Brian
My claim for SSDI was filed in June 2016 and I was approved in the “initial” stage last month, Dec 2016. So It can’t be said everybody gets denied the first time. Was hit by a truck 19 years ago walking across the street. 4 lane road…hit and run. Blew out the main artery in my leg. They put a 5in graph into the upper thigh. In May of 2014 they replaced the whole artery from upper thigh to just above the ankle using the vein from my left arm from wrist to upper shoulder. Most days the lymphedema and the aches get the best of me. Get a good Lawyer and always have faith. I will be receiving my first check in Apr 2017.
Bill a.
I saw a dog yesterday look both ways before he crossed a congested road and I told my wife imagine, if humans did that too. In other words look before you cross.
tony
The SSA administrative expenses come from the Disability Insurance trust fund. As more fraudsters get approved there isn’t enough money to pay the fraudsters and the administrative expenses. The fraudsters would get the money from the trust fund first before the administrative expenses are paid. Congress just has to reduce the SSA’s budget so all the fraudsters can be paid.
tony
If the SSA get the lazy freeloader to do Vocational Rehabilitation, then then SSA could save billions of dollars.
Their backpay would be offset by the Vocational Rehabilitation work earnings and some would have their benefits terminated.
Even the current beneficiaries collecting benefits could be force to do Vocational Rehabilitation or have their benefit withheld(deduction).
Those with a MIE diary date should be force to participate in Vocational Rehabilitation. They wouldn’t be eligible for the Ticket-To-Work, so the SSA wouldn’t have to reimburse the State Vocational Rehabilitation.
tony
While legislation repealed Social Security Act Section 222(b) and Section 1615(c), refusal of Vocational Rehabilitation is still mentioned in Section 222(d) and Section 1615(d).
tony
Vocational Rehabilitation Service is free for all under federal and state funding. The only time the SSA has to reimburse VR is if the claimants gets approved for benefits and complete the 9 months and other conditions are met. Then the SSA could reimburse the VR and terminate the claimant’s benefits at the same time.
tony
SSA – POMS: DI 26520.001 – Overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation
“In several amendments to the Social Security Act, Congress indicated its clear desire that individuals who apply for disability benefits should be promptly referred to State rehabilitation agencies with the aim of rehabilitating as many as possible into productive activity.
Every case forwarded to the DDS for a decision of disability is considered for VR referral regardless of the applicant’s age, medical condition or whether the benefit claim is allowed or denied.”
It is obvious that the SSA doesn’t follow their own policies. Eliminate the Vocational Rehabilitation reimbursement program if the SSA cannot follow it.
The SSA waits after they received benefits for two years before sending them a Ticket-To-Work brochure. Then it is Voluntary.
Ticket-To-Work is voluntary, but Vocational Rehabilitation is not. Benefits can be withheld(deductions) for refusing VR without good cause.
SSR 78-24: Disability — Refusal to Accept Vocational Rehabilitation Services
SSR 78-24 and SSA – POMS: DI 26520.001 have not been rescinded.
tony
While they wait 2 years for their disability hearing, they could be participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation.
tony
Veterans can receive Vocational Rehabilitation through the VA while they wait for their hearing. Refer them to the VA Vocational Rehabilitation after they have been adjudicated by the DDS.
SSA – POMS: DI 26520.001 – Overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation
tony
Getting free disability money is easy as it ever was for the fraudsters. The SSA updated the Mental Listing, but the Medical/Vocational Rules remains the same.
The Medical/Vocational Rules occur after the claimants do not met the listing. It is the less stringent standard to prove that you are disabled.
You have to change the less stringent rules to make a difference. Changes has to be made to the Medical/Vocational rules. Get rid of the grid rules.
The SSA raised the retirement age to 67. There are age discrimination laws. There is the ADA accommodation law for disabled people.
If their disability has an accommodation like requesting to sit in a chair because they can’t stand, then they can work. The employer must provide reasonable accommodation. The need to fill an EEOC complaint instead of a SSA disability application. If the EEOC find that the employer didn’t accommodate the disabled person, then they will make the employer pay. Why is the SSA making the tax payers pay for employers who don’t want to accommodate aged and disabled people?
tony
The SSA is paying claimants because it is difficult for people to find jobs at an old age instead of paying people who are severely disabled.
Social Security disability is going broke because almost 70% of the people receiving it is over 50.
Ray F.
The Social Security Act sets out a strict definition of disability. Our agency pays benefits to eligible individuals who can’t work due to a disabling mental or physical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Those who qualify based on our strict definition of disability are among the most severely disabled people in the country.
tony
There is also Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in addition to the ADA law. This provides accommodation to disabled people who were denied Social Security disability benefits. The SSA has this law to help claimants who were denied find jobs.
https://www.ssa.gov/accessibility/504_faq.html
tony
The State Vocational Rehabilitation receives federal financial assistance. They have to help disabled people find jobs.
It is like the hospital getting federal financial assistance. They can turn away people who are uninsured who have a life/death emergency.
Disabled people say they can’t find a job with their disability, but they never tried the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services ..
tony
Every State has a Vocational Rehabilitation Service open to all that have a disability that interfere with them getting and keeping a job.
The SSA reimburse the State Vocational Rehabilitation for the Ticket-To-Work, but the State VR also does it for free for people who don’t receive Social Security disability.
The SSA TicketTicket-To-Work program is a total waste of more Federal Money.
tony
The SSA could save $180 million by eliminating the State Vocational Rehabilitation reimbursement program. That is a lot more money than not mailing people under 60 years old their Social Security statements ..
Rex S.
After a lateral stroke which has left absent sensations on the left side. That was June 2013, attorneys advised disability judges would require a 12 month wait to see period if sensations return. I’m over 55. Can’t do many types of work, condo I was leasing was sold so had to move out. Found my car is comfortable to live in except for the spasms and pain from the stroke. Insurance, no help as there are more doctors who accept Medicaid.
In summary, I have two sources to end my life, to end the pain. So glad I was able to work since I was 17 to get kicked while down when I was debilitated.