1. What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program. Its purpose is to provide disability income to people unable to work because of a disability.
2. How do you qualify for SSDI?
You must be insured. That means you must have worked and paid into the program (mandatory payroll taxes) for five of the last 10 years. You must also have been disabled before reaching full-retirement age (65-67) and you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Your full-retirement age varies depending on your birth date. Specific details are available here.
3. What is Social Security's definition of "disability"?
Generally, it's being unable to work because of a medically determinable mental or physical impairment expected to result in death, or has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months.
4. Is it difficult to get SSDI benefits?
It can be. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies about 65 percent of the people filing initial applications. It also can take a long time, on average two to four years.
5. Do I need a disability representative or disability advocate working for me?
You can apply on your own. However, a disability representative such as Allsup will dramatically improve – and speed – your chances of receiving disability benefits. As a group, our representatives have accumulated thousands of years in disability benefits experience. The vast majority of SSDI applicants have a representative for their appeal.
6. How long does it take to get a decision on my disability claim?
Unfortunately, it’s not a quick process. Generally, it takes about three to five months for the initial decision. Reconsideration (first appeal) will take another three to five months. The second appeal is before an administrative law judge in Social Security’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. The average time to receive a decision at this level in 2010 was 426 days, according to the SSA.
7. How much will I receive?
It’s a complicated formula largely determined by the amount of your past earnings that have been subjected to FICA taxes. The maximum monthly benefit for an individual is about $2,000. The maximum that a family can receive is about $3,400 a month. Use this online calculator for more details on how much you can expect to receive. The average monthly benefits for disabled workers in 2010 was $1,064.
8. Can Social Security take away my SSDI benefits?
Yes. It doesn't happen often, but you can lose your disability benefits if your condition improves to the point that you no longer meet SSA's definition of "disabled." SSA must show there has been medical improvement related to your ability to work before they can cease your SSDI benefits.
9. Can I get additional benefits if I have children?
Children up to age 18 or who have not graduated from high school are entitled to benefits if a parent is deceased, retired, or disabled. Generally, dependent children of a disabled parent will receive about 50% of the disabled parent's monthly benefit. The 50% is divided equally among all eligible dependents.
10. Where can I get more information about SSDI?
Review Allsup’s information in our About SSDI section. Or visit the Social Security Administration’s website.