Background on Social Security disability benefits
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is a form of benefit that is provided to people who became disabled previous to attaining the age of sixty-five and are rendered incapable to work. SSDI is an insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration and funded through Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) which is comprise of payroll contributions of working Americans. SSDI provides benefits to all of its members as well as certain qualified members of family based on the member’s record.
Social Security benefits are paid on a monthly method. The amount paid to the beneficiary is subject to the worker’s age, range of income, and length of time in the work. SSDI payments typically commence subsequent to a five month waiting period from the date of the disability and will keep on until the beneficiary can return to work again. If the beneficiary has recovered from disability and has the capacity to return to work, SSDI will provide some work incentives to help alleviate the changeover with continued benefits and health care coverage.
When a beneficiary continues to receive Social Security benefits up until he/she reaches full retirement age, the standard disability benefits automatically changes to retirement benefits, however the amount is still the same.
How to tell if you’re eligible for Social Security disability benefits
As soon as you become disabled you should apply for disability benefits. Do not delay because it can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits, but prior to doing so you must meet the eligibility requirements of the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, you must be disabled conforming to the Social Security’s definition of disability, and you must have worked in jobs covered by the Social Security Administration.
To be considered disabled, a person must have physical or mental impairment. The person’s disability is founded on SSA’s guidelines which basically state that the disability must be severe enough to keep the person from working, and the disability can cause death or that is expected to persist for at least one year. Social Security benefits will only be given to a person with total disability; this excludes partial or temporary disability.
Another guideline from the SSA is to pass two different income tests. The recent work test evaluates your age at the time that you have became disabled and the other is duration of work test that determines if you have worked long enough under SSA. You must also have paid sufficient contribution into the SSA
