How Does Social Security Disability Work?

What is Social Security Disablity?

Social Security Disability benefits are paid to recipients that are unable to work because of injury or illness. Generally, when a person is injured and told by a doctor that they cannot work, they then apply to the government for financial assistance while they recover. The application process is quite detailed and sometimes takes time to iron out the details of the injury and benefit amounts.

Qualifications

To qualify for disability, one must be off of work for a minimum of 5 months from the time he was injured. Qualification is also based on age at the time of disability and the severity of the injuries. The Social Security Administration usually screens applicants thoroughly to determine if injuries are valid and severe enough to warrant payment of benefits. For workers that can still perform some duties on their jobs, they must make less than $940 per month to qualify for disability income (see Resources). Adult children under the age of 22, in most circumstances, are permitted to qualify for disability based on the earning records of their parents.

How Long Do Benefits Last?

Social Security Disability income benefits are usually not permanent and stop when a person has recovered from illness or injury and returns to work. Depending on the circumstances and injury, the government decides how long benefits will last. However, some workers do become severely injured and can never return to their jobs. In such cases, disability benefits continue until a retirement age is reached, after which injured parties begin receiving regular Social Security retirement benefits for the rest of their lives.

Resources

• Social Security Benefits Calculator