How do I financially survive while applying for Social Security Disability?

One question I hear pretty much across the board is “how am I supposed to financially survive waiting for a hearing date?” 

It could take several months or even years before the Social Security Administration decides whether you are owed benefits. 

Unfortunately, I do not have a good answer to that question. Most people rely upon friends and family for financial support. Some individuals qualify for public assistance benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance. The Social Security program does not provide for advances on your claim.

If your income and assets are limited, you may qualify for other government support while you wait for your SSDI or SSI benefits. Some options may include:

TANF

Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers. It provides monetary assistance to low-income families with children for a limited duration.

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps provides funds that can be used only for the purchase of food. If you meet the eligibility criteria for SSI, you may also meet the qualifications for SNAP.

Section 8 housing

The disabled can often benefit from section 8 housing vouchers. This HUD program also takes months (or even years) to apply to and to be approved. So anyone waiting on their SSI disability to commence may want to consider this program too. It will help the client with paying their rent or energy bills, offer self-sufficiency services, and other aid.

Utility Bills

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides help paying utility bills. This welfare initiative lowers the cost of cooling your apartment in the summer, heating it in the winter, and running appliances such as a refrigerator or washer and dryer.

Interim Assistance

Some states provide interim assistance benefits. These benefits are usually part of a public assistance or general assistance program and may be administered by the Department of Health and Social Services or the Department of Social Services. These monetary benefits are paid directly to the applicant or to service providers on the applicant's behalf in their state. This program may require you to agree to repay the agency the amount of interim benefits you receive once your SSI application is approved.

These programs are administered on the state level, so the process to apply for these benefits may be different. However, the process typically requires that you file an application for SSI benefits before applying for interim assistance. You may then be required to sign an interim assistance agreement, stating that you agree to repay the amount of benefits you receive if you are approved for SSI benefits.

Short-Term Disability

Some states, including California offer short-term or temporary disability benefits.

You can check with your local Department of Social Services to see if you are eligible for any of these benefits or if there are any other programs that are available to you.

Other Options

You may have other viable options to help you pay for your current expenses or to reduce them while your application is pending. Some options may include:

Friends and family – You may be able to borrow money from friends and family or receive help with some of your expenses. You may be able to move in with someone else to help you minimize your expenses while your application is pending.

Charitable organizations – Some charitable organizations and churches/synagogues  may help applicants with financial assistance, payment of utilities, rental assistance, clothing, food, medical needs and other financial needs.

Refinancing your home – You may be able to refinance your home to lower your monthly mortgage payment.

Retirement funds – You may be able to borrow against or cash out your 401(k) or other retirement account.

Unemployment benefits – If you were recently laid off, you might consider seeking unemployment benefits. However, this can be risky because by applying for unemployment benefits, you are stating that you are able and available to work. This can be contradictory to the claims that you make for your SSDI or SSI benefits.

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: Michigan, USA

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