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Social Security FAQ

What are Social Security disability benefits?

The federal Social Security Administration, or SSA, pays benefits to individuals who are or who become totally disabled. SSA provides two types of benefits: Social Security Disability or SSD benefits, and Supplemental Security Income or SSI benefits. Social Security Disability benefits are paid to people with disabilities who have worked in five of the past ten years. Supplemental Security Income benefits are paid to low-income individuals with disabilities, including children, whether or not the person has worked in the past.

Who is eligible for Social Security disability benefits?

Anyone who works for long enough at a job covered by the Social Security Act may be eligible for disability benefits if he or she also meets the SSA's criteria for disability. A covered job is one in which part of your pay went toward paying Social Security and Medicare, also known as FICA taxes. These payments usually appear on your pay stub. A disability that makes you eligible for Social Security disability benefits is one that prevents you from doing any kind of regularly-paying work for at least 12 consecutive months. It may be a physical disability, a psychological disability, or a combination of both.

How do I apply for SSD or SSI benefits?

You can apply for your own SSD or SSI benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, the SSA has a TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

The process of applying for Social Security disability benefits is often complex and difficult. In Missouri, your medical eligibility for disability benefits is determined by the state's Disability Determination Services office, which has its own rules and procedures. In order to increase your chances of being granted disability benefits, you should seriously consider hiring an experienced SSD and SSI lawyer to help you navigate the process before you apply, or as soon as possible if you have already applied.

Does my family qualify for Social Security benefits?

If you have worked long enough to qualify for SSD or SSI benefits, some of your family members may also be able to receive benefits if they become disabled, even if they have not worked long enough to qualify for benefits. Family members that may be covered include your spouse, if he or she is at least 62 years old or is caring for a child who is under age 16 or disabled. Your unmarried child may also be covered if he or she is under 19 and in elementary or secondary school full time, or if he or she is over 18 but became totally disabled before age 22.

How much can I receive in SSD or SSI benefits?

The amount of disability benefits you will receive is based on how much you have earned, on average, in your lifetime. This average lifetime earnings amount appears on your Social Security Statement, which also shows an estimate of the SSD or SSI benefits you may receive. You can request a copy of your Social Security Statement from www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Do workers' compensation or other benefits affect the amount of Social Security disability benefits I can receive?

Private benefits, like those from your private pension or insurance plans, do not affect how much you may receive in Social Security disability benefits. However, workers' compensation benefits, state disability benefits, and other government-related benefits based on disability may lower the amount you can receive from Social Security. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help you determine how your workers' compensation or other benefits might affect your SSD or SSI claim.

For more information and a free consultation regarding your disability claims, please don't hesitate to call Page Law at (314) 322-8515.

 

Additional Social Security Disability Information
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