Important Facts to Know about Social Security Disability Benefits
Social security disability benefits are paid on the basis of a medical records review and other formalities. Here are some other facts to know.
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There has been considerable increase in the number of Americans who are on disability insurance in the past three decades. It is estimated that every month around 14 million people get a disability check from the Social Security Administration. Social security disability benefits are paid on the basis of a medical records review and other formalities to ensure that the compensation is paid to deserving persons. Payroll deductions are required by the FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) to cover the cost of social security benefits such as retirement, survivors’ and spousal benefits. Some of this funding goes into the Disability Insurance Trust Fund that pays for disability benefits.
To qualify for disability benefits, you must have worked for a certain length of time in jobs covered by Social Security. You’d need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years and ending with the year you became disabled. Applicants must also have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability.
How is an applicant evaluated for disability? o Is the applicant currently working? A person who is working and earns on average more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits (in 2018 this amount is $1,180 a month for non-blind persons and $1,970 for blind persons) is not considered eligible for disability benefits. o Is the applicant’s condition severe? If the person’s condition does not interfere with his/her ability to do the work they used to do, they will not be considered disabled. o Is the applicant’s condition included in the list of disabling conditions? Social Security maintains a list of disabling medical conditions that automatically qualifies him/her as disabled. If the condition is not included, Social Security will determine if it is severe enough to qualify and if found so, the applicant will be considered eligible.
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o Can the applicant do the work he/she did earlier? A person will be considered disabled only if his or her condition interferes with their ability to do the work they used to do. o Can the applicant do some other type of work? If the applicant cannot do the work he/she did earlier, the SSA (Social Security Administration) will determine whether they can do other suitable work. They will take into account the applicant’s condition, age, education, earlier work experience and other factors. If they can do such other work, they will not be considered disabled and the claim will be denied. The claim will be approved for those who cannot adjust to other types of work as well. The qualifying conditions must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. As a social security lawyer would advise, disabled people should apply for SS disability benefits as soon as they are disabled. A good lawyer would determine with the support of a medical chart review company whether the condition is one that is considered eligible for compensation. There is a mandatory waiting period of 5 months after the disability begins before the applicant can start receiving benefits. An adult child disabled before the age of 22 can qualify for benefits based on the parents’ earning record. Anyone who becomes disabled after turning 22 must pass the recent work test, which is a measure of how many years of work he/she has performed depending on their age. A person still receiving disability benefits by the time he/she reaches full retirement age, will have their disability insurance switched over to retirement benefits and the amount of payments remain the same. According to the Schwabish and the Urban Institute, the increasing number of disability recipients is attributed to factors such as the rapid aging of the population, dim employment prospects following the recession, and new, more liberal eligibility criteria. They also found that musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common health issues among people receiving disability benefits. Very few people leave DI (Disability Insurance) once they have been accepted into the program. The following
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chart from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities represents that one-fifth of Social Security beneficiaries receive disability or young survivors’ benefits.
Disability attorneys and companies providing medical record review for attorneys know that SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) provides protection for 90% of U.S. workers and their families if a severe disability or illness prevents them from being able to work and earn enough money. The eligibility criteria for disability benefits are very strict and less than 40% of applicants are finally approved. Since social security disability and retirement benefits are lifesaving options for disabled and retired people, policymakers should focus on saving the program by taking effective steps.
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