The Social Security Administration provides disability payments to more than 8 million Americans, primarily through Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. Applicants must be diagnosed with an injury or condition that prevents them from working for at least a year or is expected to result in their death. Show
Another form of disability benefit is Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which is funded by the Treasury Department but administered through the SSA. It aids individuals whose financial resources are below specified limits. Being approved for either program requires substantial evidence and the process can take a considerable amount of time, usually involving an in-person or phone interview. How do I apply for Social Security Disability Insurance?Less than half of disability applicants are accepted on their first try. Tom Schmucker/Zimmytws/Getty ImagesYou should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. You can apply online, by calling 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office. To qualify for disability you cannot already be receiving Social Security benefits and must not have been denied disability benefits in the past 60 days. Even getting a preliminary decision on your application takes more than five months on average, according to AARP. What conditions qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?There is no set list of approved disabilities, but the Social Security Blue Book, also known as Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, is an online directory of physical and mental health conditions that automatically qualify if you meet the stringent requirements for diagnosis.
The same 14 categories are used for children under 18, with the addition of low birth weight and failure to thrive. Rather than looking at whether a condition inhibits their ability to work, the criteria for minors is whether it will cause severe functional limitations for at least a year or is likely to be fatal. What's the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income?While SSDI is an earned benefit based on Social Security taxes you've paid in during your career, you can receive SSI payments without ever having worked. KLH49/Getty ImagesBoth SSDI and SSI pay benefits to people that the Social Security Administration determines have physical or mental disabilities severe enough to prevent them from engaging in "substantial gainful activity" for at least a year or that are expected to end in their death. The Social Security Administration generally uses the same medical criteria to determine if a disability entitles an adult to SSDI or SSI and collecting both benefits is allowed. SSDI is an earned benefit. As with retirement benefits, it comes from paying Social Security taxes during the course of your employment. In 2022, the estimated average monthly SSDI benefit was $1,358. There's a five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits, so payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. You'll be eligible for Medicare coverage after you've received disability benefits for two years. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. How do I file for disability in Arkansas?File for Disability in Arkansas
You can apply: online at ssa.gov. over the telephone by calling the SSA's customer service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) directly at your local Social Security field office.
How to apply for disability in Nevada?How To Apply for Disability in Nevada. Online: You can apply online at ssa.gov.. Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA's toll-free customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). In-person: You can apply in-person at your local Social Security field office.. What's the quickest you can get disability?All SSDI claims are subject to a waiting period for benefits. The earliest payments can start is five months from the date that Social Security determines your disability began, based on the medical evidence you provide.
How do I file for disability in Iowa?Iowans with physical or mental impairments apply for benefits directly to the SSA.. Online at www.ssa.org/benefits/disability.. By telephone at (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778) or.. In person at your local SSA office.. |