Facts Concerning Social Security Disability & Benefits
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, individuals must pass medical tests that determine eligibility. The Social Security Administration provides clear guidelines, which include a doctor's certification of disability and detailed medical history, together with an assessment of how long it has and will last. The SSA requires that it is ongoing or expected to continue for at least a year before benefits can be paid.
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Recipients
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Social Security disability benefits can be paid for mental and physical ailments. Individuals with conditions such as depression, schizophrenia and brain disorders are just as eligible to receive benefits as those with blindness and debilitating injuries. While the process can be cumbersome, the SSA must adhere to strict guidelines that ensure eligible recipients receive what the law allows.
Eligibility
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Individuals not able to work for at least a year, or who are not expected to be able to work, can qualify for Social Security benefits. The SSA maintains two primary plans: Social Security Disability Insurance generally covers those who have previously worked and have become disabled, while Supplemental Security Income protects disabled people and those not otherwise able to work. A number of individual states also have plans to supplement monthly checks.
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Standards
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The Social Security Administration permits people to make up to $1,000 per month (or $1,640 for blind individuals) and still considers them disabled, provided the eligibility conditions are met. Some work-related expenses can be deducted from total earnings to bring people in under the threshold. The disability must directly impair the capacity to work, or claims will not be approved. The SSA also looks for ways the potential disability recipients can otherwise work, even if outside the occupation for which the individual has trained and possesses experience.
Before the Checks
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Professional caseworkers from state Disability Determination Service offices and the Social Security Administration work together to decide on financial, medical, physical, mental and functional issues, in a process that can take between three to six months. Potential recipients would do well to maintain ongoing communications with the relevant offices, not only to check on their applications but to inquire of any additional material that may be needed to come to a decision on benefits. Even those whose applications have been denied can and should appeal what may seem to be arbitrary or incomplete decisions. The SSA will then assign an administrative law judge to hear the case.
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