5 Facts to Know About Social Security Disability Benefits

Being left unable to work due to a disability can leave you feeling frustrated and concerned, especially if you have people relying on you. Fortunately, the social security administration (SSA) maintains a disability income program that can offer you benefits. With two categories, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), you may qualify to receive benefits depending on your situation.

What Are Social Security Disability Benefits?

First and foremost, let’s cover the basics of Social Security Disability Benefits. The disability program managed by the SSA essentially pays you and qualified family members assuming you are insured. By working long enough and paying social security taxes on prior earnings, you may qualify for monthly disability payments. 

Depending on your specific disability and situation, you may be eligible to receive up to a maximum monthly SSI payment of $841, or $1,261 for individuals with an eligible spouse, which can be used to supplement lost income due to an inability to work. These payments may be reduced based on the countable income you or qualified family members earn. 

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

With over 8.2 million people currently receiving disabled-worker benefits from the SSA, learning how to get approved for SSI or SSDI benefits can help you join this group. The largest qualifying factor required to receive SSI is an eligible disability in accordance with those outlined by the SSA. Some common examples of broadly qualified disabilities include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders

• Abnormalities of major joints in any extremity

• Amputation due to any cause

• Certain chronic diseases

• Short bowel syndrome

• Epilepsy

• Spinal cord disorders

All of the above are just the tip of the iceberg. To see if your specific disability may qualify for disability benefits, visit the Social Security Administration website.

After looking to see if your disability is potentially eligible, there are five questions the SSA will consider to determine final eligibility:

1. Are you still currently working?

2. Does your medical disability qualify as severe?

3. Does your medical disability match one on the SSA list?

4. Are you still capable of doing the same work you did prior to the onset of your disability?

5. Is there another type of work you are able to do?

These five questions are the primary considerations the SSA will look at when deciding whether or not you qualify to receive Social Security Disability Benefits. 

Top 5 Things to Know Regarding Social Security Disability Benefits

Whether you have already been approved for Social Security Disability Benefits or you are considering filling out an application, there are five crucial points you need to be aware of:

1. You must have an existing work history

One of the major factors in determining eligibility for disability benefits is your work history. The income you earned historically will need to have social security taxes paid on it. Additionally, you will need to have an adequate work history in order to qualify for SSI or SSDI. 

The general formula to follow in order to see if you have a long enough work history is to take the year you developed a disability and subtract the year you turned 22 to see how many quarters you need to meet the duration requirement for benefits.

2. Children may be eligible to receive benefits as well

If you are currently receiving SSDI benefits, dependents under the age of 18 or adult children who developed a disability after they turned 18, but before they turned 22, can receive SSDI benefits from their parents. However, if a child lives in the same house as the parent then the parent’s income can affect eligibility if it exceeds the monthly cap. The value of the benefits children receive from their own SSDI can be variable, just as your own SSDI value can change.

3. Payments do not start immediately (5 months of being disabled first)

In most cases, you will not receive your first disability benefit payment for five months from the date of approval. This means that if your disability occurs with a start date of January 1st and you apply on February 1st, you would not receive your first payment until the month of July. 

The only exception to this case is if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which case you are eligible for payment for the first month of your disability. 

4.Your benefits adjust with the cost-of-living

Depending on the cost of living, your annual disability benefits income will adjust accordingly. In 2023, the cost of living adjustment was 8.7% as a result of increased prices for goods and services. This is a legal adjustment that the SSA is required to make if the cost of living changes, which can result in you receiving more benefits over time than you currently get. 

5. You’re responsible for informing the SSA if your condition changes

Finally, you are the sole person responsible for informing the Social Security Administration if your disability status changes. For one reason or another, if you are able to work in some capacity that would make you ineligible for SSI or SSDI you must inform the SSA right away. 

Not doing so can result in certain legal actions or the repayment of benefits that were given during months when you were capable of working again. 

For those already receiving benefits or for those who are considering applying, take the above information into account to ensure you get the most out of your benefits. 

Contact a Social Security Attorney to Stay Protected

Sifting through the countless qualifications and other details associated with receiving Social Security Disability Benefits can be a daunting task. The last thing anybody wants is to accidentally assume they are ineligible for benefits and not take the steps to apply. On that note, it’s important to ensure you have all the necessary information required for the application to speed up the process.

If you are in need of assistance regarding your Social Security Disability Benefits, whether you already receive them or believe you qualify for them, consider reaching out to a certified social security attorney in your area. Avoid leaving money on the table and see how SSI or SSDI benefits can impact your life for the better following the onset of a disability.