Like most people, you probably don't expect to become disabled, but it can happen. That's why it's important to know what disability benefits you may be entitled to under Social Security.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that pay disability benefits. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to qualified individuals who are under age 65, regardless of their income. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to qualified individuals with limited income. Only the SSDI program is discussed here.
You should apply for benefits at a Social Security office as soon as you become disabled, and it appears that the disability will continue.
Because the definition of disability that the SSA uses is strict, it's hard to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. To receive benefits as an adult, you must have a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or is expected to result in your death. Your impairment must also be severe enough to prevent you from performing any "substantial gainful activity" or, in other words, the work that you were doing when you became disabled or any other work.
The SSA has a list of impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically define you as disabled. If your condition is not on the list, the SSA must decide if it's severe enough.
When determining your ability to work, the SSA will consider your medical condition, age, education, past work experience, and transferable skills. If you're working, the amount of income that you are able to earn also plays a role. If your average monthly earnings from work exceed a maximum amount set by the SSA, you generally won't be considered disabled for Social Security purposes. Special rules and income limits apply if you're blind.
When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that enable you to qualify for Social Security benefits. You can earn up to 4 credits per year, depending on the amount of income that you earn. The number of credits that you need depends on how old you are when you become disabled. For instance, if you're age 31 to 42, you'll need to have earned 20 credits within the last 10 years, ending with the year in which you became disabled. If you're younger than 31, you'll need fewer credits; if you're older than 42, you'll need more.
If you qualify for disability benefits, certain family members can also collect monthly disability benefits based on your work record. Eligible family members may include:
Each eligible family member may receive a monthly check equal to as much as 50 percent of your basic benefit. This is in addition to your benefit--your check doesn't get reduced.
The amount of your monthly disability check is based on your average lifetime earnings. Generally, you'll receive an amount equal to what you would receive were you to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age. You can use one of the benefit calculators available at the SSA website, www.ssa.gov, to estimate the disability benefit you may be eligible to receive.
Eligibility for other state and federal benefits may affect the amount of your SSDI check. And because the SSA will periodically review your case and decide whether you are still disabled, your disability benefits may stop altogether. This will happen if your medical condition improves to the point that you're no longer considered disabled, or if you are able to earn a substantial amount of money. Finally, once you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits will automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits (the amount is usually the same).
You should apply for benefits at a Social Security office as soon as you become disabled, and it appears that the disability will continue. That's because there's a five-month waiting period before you'll get your first check. You can file for benefits in person, through the mail, online, or over the telephone. You'll be asked to provide the following information:
Once your application is complete and has been reviewed by your local Social Security office, it will be sent to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state. There, the DDS will determine whether you are disabled under Social Security rules. If your claim is approved, you'll receive a letter showing the amount of benefit that you'll receive and when your benefits will begin. If your claim is denied, you'll receive a letter explaining the decision and telling you how to appeal if you don't agree with it.
For more information on Social Security disability benefits, visit your local Social Security office, look at publications available on the SSA website, or call the SSA at (866) 968-7842.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES: Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances. These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable — we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.
