What is social security disability benefits?

This program is designed for adults who have worked and paid into the Social Security system through FICA taxes. Often referred to as SSDI or DIB, it provides benefits for workers who become disabled due to a physical or mental impairment. The disability must be severe enough to prevent you from earning a “substantial” amount of money through work, or it must be one that has prevented or will prevent you from earning for at least 12 months. By “substantial,” the Social Security Administration means that you may not earn over $1310 per month, or $2190 per month if you are blind, to receive benefits under this program. These amounts apply to 2021, and change each year, according to economic conditions.

To qualify for benefits under this program, you must have worked in the past and contributed to Social Security through FICA taxes or Self-Employment taxes. How long you must have worked, and how recently, depends on your current age. For most applicants over the age of 31, you must have worked and paid into the system for five of the past ten years.

In determining whether you qualify for benefits, the Social Security Administration will consider the severity of your disability, using a state agency to ask your physicians about your condition. It will also consider whether your disability is on the current listings of Adult Impairments and Child Impairments. In some cases, additional medical examinations will be scheduled, paid for by the SSA. It will consider whether you can continue in your current occupation or another occupation with your disability. If you are blind, there are other things they may consider. If it is determined that you are disabled, your benefits will begin six months after you became disabled, with retroactive payments made from that date.

If your application is denied by the Social Security administration, as happens in a majority of cases, you have the right to appeal the decision. You also have the right to legal representation.

If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

Location: United States

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