Disability, SSI

There’s Plenty You Should Know About Social Security Disability Benefits!

January 19, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

woman in wheelchair in library 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. Patricia A.

    I WOULD LIKE LUMP SUM IS IT DIFFICULT

  2. Denise P.

    I left the comment earlier about this ticket to work but from 6 to 7 I do go to Taylor Texas to feed a sweet old lady that helps me Focus I don’t get paid it’s just something that I like doing to get me out of the house then doing it for over a year it’s been hard but so I cannot stop taking care of her cuz she’s a dear friend of mine that has dementia and she knows me and it’s comfortable with me and we both make each other feel special I forgot to leave that my last comment so I can’t do things around those hours because I saved from 5 to 8 so I’m I’m lost just a lost soul please tell me what to do

  3. Paul D.

    I got a job today at pizza inn just letting u know I do receive social security disability

    • Ray F.

      Hello Paul. You can create a my Social Security account with us and sign in to report your wages if you work and receive Disability Insurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Or you can 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!

  4. Ebrahim A.

    From year 1997 I became Disabled permanent and SSDI start paying from year 2000 and also they never paid any benefits to my wife under my record Which she had right for benefits and she passed way year of 2005 again they didn’t pay any benefits to or children please somebody help me

  5. Steve

    Can someone tell if i someone receiving ssd benefits what is the max salary you can make and if under the max and someone receives a lump sum for a family member who passed is this money counted towards ther income..

    • Ray F.

      Hello Steve. Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on your earnings (before you became disabled) and are not subject to income and resource limits.
      For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, we must take into consideration any other income and resources available to those individuals.
      A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program if they work. We have Work Incentives that allow people to work and still receive their benefits. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2018, the SGA limit is $1,180 per month (or $1,970 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.
      We recommend you read our publication “Working While Disabled – How We Can Help

  6. selling p.

    The heart of your writing whilst appearing reasonable originally, did not really sit well with me after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer but only for a very short while. I nevertheless have a problem with your jumps in assumptions and one might do nicely to fill in those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I could certainly end up being fascinated.

  7. kim, m.

    my husband died 4 years ago, he was receiving social security disability payments. im now 60 how do i collect them?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Kim. As a widow, you can start receiving reduced benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
      You cannot apply for survivors benefits online. If you need to apply for benefits, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. You can also visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to speak to someone. Even setting up an appointment weeks in the future will establish a protective filing date, so we urge you to get on the calendar to protect your benefits. Thanks!

  8. Lisa

    How do you know if you’re eligible for back pay?

    • Jenna Y.

      Thanks for your question, Lisa. Back pay depends on the type of benefit that you apply for. Many factors go into determining whether or not a claimant qualifies for back pay once approved. For example, in cases of disability, a claimant is not entitled to benefits within the five-month waiting period. Benefits will be paid beginning with the sixth full month after the date the disability began. If all factors of entitlement are met, a claimant could possibly qualify for back pay depending on the situation. Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or your local office for specific questions about your claim. To find your local office, check out: http://ow.ly/aTAn30f49T6. We hope this helps.

  9. Reba F.

    If you get your check on the 16th will you get it still if that day on a Saturday

  10. Jeanie

    So, does having C3-C4 fusion surgery that needs to be completely redone, along with C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 disc herniation repair resulting in an addition of. 3 more plates put in. (Total of of 4)
    Disc bulge at L4-L5. surgery because of superimposed disc herniation
    Dengerative disc disease.
    Drainage tube implant in right eye, to help prevent constant pressure build up.
    Ocular complications, including retinopathy and edema.
    Vitreo retinal surgery (air bubble put in eye to try to stop the eye vessels from bleeding) that didn’t work the first time ( Oct 2016) then a second vitreo retinal surgery a month later, to remove the air bubble and replace it with an oil bubble.
    Right eye vision is 20/400, resulting in the loss of near acuity, far acuity, depth perception, or peripheral vision. In other words – blind in right eye.
    Left eye vision fluctuates from 20/30 to 20/50. Having same symptoms as right eye before loss of vision.
    Mild small vessel ischemic changes in the feet.
    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cannot be exposed to extreme heat, extreme cold, dust, fumes, odors, gases or poor ventilation. Coughing spells so severe that neck is restricted to the point of passing out and dropping to the floor, hoping not to break neck in fall.
    Pain management for the last two years, injections in neck, back and shoulder, and will be a continuous monthly specialist visit. &
    Depression .
    34 years of working for the same company, hasn’t been able to work in 2 1/2 years. Cannot provide for himself let alone his family, qualify him for disability? ????????

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