Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for SSDI you must first have worked in one or more jobs that have been covered by Social Security. Following that, you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of a disability. Benefits will usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis.
The SSA defines “disability” for SSDI as an inability to do the work you were doing before, and you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. Your disability must also last, or be expected to last, for at least one year or result in death. SSDI only pays for total disability; it will not pay for partial or short-term disability.
HOW DOES SSA DETERMINE IF YOU’RE DISABLED?
The SSA uses the following 5 step process to determine if you are disabled. If you do not meet each step, then you will not be considered for SSDI.
1) Are you working?
For 2006, if you are working during this year, and your earnings average more than $860 per month, you will not be considered disabled.
2) Is your condition “severe”?
Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities.
3) Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically qualify you as disabled. If your condition is not listed, the SSA must decide if it is of equal severity to those listed.
4) Can you do the work you did previously?
If your condition is severe, but not at an equal level of severity as the conditions on the medical list, then the SSA must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously.
5) Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, the SSA will check to see if you are able to adjust to other work. Your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills will be taken into consideration.
BENEFITS FOR A DISABLED CHILD
A child under 18 may be disabled, but the SSA will not need to consider the child’s disability if he or she is your dependent and you are receiving benefits. The child’s benefits will usually stop when he or she turns 18, unless they are a full-time student in an elementary or high school, in which case benefits will continue to age 19, or if he or she is disabled.
For a child to received benefits on your record after age 18, the following rules must be met:
• The disabling impairment must have started before age 22, and
• He or she must meet the definition of disability for adults (see second paragraph, this page)
HOW TO APPLY & WHAT YOU WILL NEED
To apply for SSDI, you can apply online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability, contact your local Social Security office (if you do not know your local office’s contact, you can find it at http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm), or you can call toll free 1 (800) 772-1213 or if you’re deaf or hard of hearing 1 (800) 325-0778.
Applying for SSDI can take 3 to 5 months. The process can be shortened by having the following information and documents on hand when you start the application process.
Information about you:
• Your social security number and proof of your age,
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, caseworkers, hospitals, and clinics that took care of you and the dates of your visits,
• Names and dosages of all medications you are taking,
• Medical records from doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession,
• Laboratory and test results,
• A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did, and
• Your most recent W-2 form or, if you were self-employed, a copy of your federal tax return
Information about family members
• Social security numbers and proof of age for each person applying for benefits, and
• Proof of marriage, if you spouse is applying for benefits, as well as dates of prior marriages if applicable
It is important to know that the documents you will need to show to the SSA must be the original documents or copies certified by the issuing office. You can mail or bring them to the office, they will make photocopies, and return your originals to you. If you don’t have all the documents, don’t delay filing for benefits, the SSA employee will assist you with getting the information they will need.
IF YOUR APPLICATION IS DENIED
You have the right to ask the Social Security office to look over your application again if you’ve been denied. If you are denied, you will receive a notice that says you don’t qualify and will explain how to make the request for the SSA to review your application, and will give you a timeline for how long you have to make that request.
IF YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED
If your application is approved, your first Social Security benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the SSA finds that your disability began. So, for example, if your disability began June 15, 2005, then your first benefit would be paid for December 2005. Benefits are paid in the month following the month they are due. For example, the benefit owed to you for December would be paid in January.
WHAT CAN AFFECT YOUR BENEFITS?
Periodically the SSA will review your case to make sure that you are still eligible to receive benefits. You will be notified when this time comes. You are also responsible for notifying the SSA when you are capable of returning to work. Benefits can also be discontinued if SSA decides that your monthly income is substantial to live on (for 2006 that amount is $860 per month), or if SSA has decided that your condition has improved.
Resources
All information provided for the SSI and SSDI articles came from the United States Social Security Administration website
www.socialsecurity.gov, click on “Disability and SSI”.
You can also write to:
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
Or call toll free between 7a.m. and 7p.m. Monday through Friday:
1 (800) 772-1213, or
TTY: 1 (800) 325-0778