What makes someone eligible for Social Security disability?
To receive disability benefits, a person must meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Act (Act). A person is disabled under the Act if they can't work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year or result in death.
Is it difficult to qualify for Social Security disability?
But unfortunately, obtaining SSDI benefits is not easy. In fact, it's rather difficult. Approximately 70% of initial SSDI claims are denied every year. In other words, less than one-third of initial claims are approved.
What should you not say in a disability interview?
Making Statements That Can Hurt Your Claim – Unless you are specifically asked pertinent questions, do not talk about alcohol or drug use, criminal history, family members getting disability or unemployment, or similar topics. However, if you are asked directly about any of those topics, answer them truthfully.
What is the most approved disability?
1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
What are the top 10 disabilities?
What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...
How long does it take to be approved for Social Security disability?
about 3 to 5 monthsGenerally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.
What questions do they ask for Social Security disability?
Dates you last worked; The names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of visits to your doctors; The names of medications that you take and medical tests you've had; and. Marital information.
What questions do they ask in a disability interview?
What Type of Questions Will Be Asked at Your Disability Interview...When did your condition become disabling?What is the contact information for your doctors?What are the dates of the visits to your doctors?What are the names of medications that you are currently taking?What medical tests have you undergone?
Is chronic pain a disability?
The SSA does not consider chronic pain to be a disability, so there is no listing for it in the SSA's Blue Book. Chronic pain, even if it is severe and disabling, does not qualify unless you can prove it is caused by a verifiable condition that lasts for at least 12 months.
Does everyone get turned down the first time for disability?
No, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not deny everyone the first time they apply. However, it does initially deny nearly two-thirds of all Social Security disability applications.
How do you survive while waiting for disability approval?
While you wait for disability benefits to be approved, consider seeking assistance through other local, state, and federal support programs. These may include: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
What is the easiest state to get disability?
KansasKansas offers the highest chance of being approved for social security disability.This state has an SSDI approval rate of 69.7% in 2020. It had the second-highest approval rate in 2019, with 61.3% of SSDI claims approved.The average monthly benefit for SSDI beneficiaries is $1,228.
Who Can Apply For Adult Disability Benefits Online?
You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: 1. Are age 18 or older; 2. Are not currently receiving benefits on your...
How Do I Apply For Benefits?
Here is what you need to do to apply for benefits online: 1. Print and review the Adult Disability Checklist It will help you gather the informatio...
What Information Do I Need to Apply For Benefits?
We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier.
Information About Your Work
1. The amount of money earned last year and this year 2. The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year 3. A copy of your Soc...
What Documents Do I Need to provide?
We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as: 1. Birth certificate or other proof of birth; 2. Proof of U.S. citizens...
What Are The Advantages of Applying Using Our Online Disability Application Process?
Our online disability application process offers several advantages. You can: 1. Start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait...
What Happens After I Apply?
After we receive your online application, we will: 1. Provide confirmation of your application- either electronically or by mail. 2. Review the app...
What Other Ways Can I Apply?
You can also apply: 1. By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you ca...
How do I apply for disability benefits?
You can apply for Disability benefits online, or if you are unable to complete the application online, you can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
How long does it take to get SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.
When will I get my ALS disability?
There is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020. We pay Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.
How old do you have to be to apply for disability?
You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and. Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.
What is a copy of Social Security?
A copy of your Social Security Statement. The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs.
What to do if you don't live in the US?
or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence. Apply for Disability Return to a Saved Application Check Application Status.
Listing Of Impairments For Social Security Disability Benefits
So, what qualifies for disability? The Social Security Administration maintains a list of impairments that are essentially considered automatically disabling. The list is also sometimes called the “Blue Book.” The book also describes the tests and symptoms that a person must exhibit to meet the requirement for a specific impairment.
Disability With Other Medical Conditions
Only about 35% of approved disability applications actually meet a listing. You can also prove that your condition equals a listing. This means that your condition is basically the same as a listing in the book – although only about 5% of applications are approved this way. The most common approval method is by vocationally proving your disability.
How To Apply For Disability Benefits
Many people wonder how to get disability. Unfortunately, the application process for benefits can be confusing and extremely lengthy. You must submit your initial application to the SSA and wait for a decision. If your application is denied, then you can request a reconsideration.
The Bottom Line
There are quite a few conditions that will almost automatically qualify you for SSDI or SSI benefits. Even if you do not have a condition that meets one of these listings, you can still qualify by proving that you are unable to work due to your impairment.
What conditions are automatically approved for disability?
There are only a handful of conditions that are automatically approved such as ALS, organ transplants, and very serious types of cancer. For other conditions, you will need to either meet or equal a listing or prove vocationally that you are unable to work due to your condition.
How long do you have to wait to apply for disability?
Your condition must have caused you to be out of work for at least 12 months or be expected to last at least 12 months before you can apply for disability. Though it need not be a permanent disability, it often is. If either of these conditions are met, then you can go ahead and apply.
What is the process for getting disability?
You will need to submit an application for disability. You can submit an online application for disability, call the SSA, or visit your local SSA office. You will also need to provide your medical records that evidence your disability.
When will I get my first SSDI?
Your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2020, the sixth full month of disability. However, there is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020.
What are the other benefits that affect Social Security?
Other Payments May Affect Your Disability Benefits. If you receive certain other government benefits, such as workers' compensation, public disability benefits, or pensions based on work not covered by Social Security (e.g., some government or foreign employment), the Social Security benefits payable to you and your family may be reduced.
How long does Medicare cover ALS?
Medicare Coverage If You're Disabled. We automatically enroll you in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) after you get disability benefits for two years. However, if your disability results from ALS, Medicare coverage begins sooner, generally the first month you are eligible for disability benefits.
What is Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment. For more information on the enrollment periods for Part D, we recommend you read Medicare's How to get prescription drug coverage page.
How long do you have to wait to receive your first SSDI payment?
Generally, if your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is approved, you must wait five months before you can receive your first SSDI benefit payment. This means you would receive your first payment in the sixth full month after the date we find that your disability began.
When will SSDI pay in 2020?
We would pay your first benefit for the month of December 2020, the first full month of disability. We pay SSDI benefits in the month following the month for which they are due. This means that the benefit due for December 2020 would be paid to you in January 2021, and so on.
How to contact Medicare for a TTY?
If you have questions about this coverage, you can contact Medicare toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to speak to a Medicare Customer Service Representative. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
