Every employee, from a part-time worker who retired from their main job to a teenager working at a movie theater for spending cash, makes contributions to the Social Security Administration (SSA) with each paycheck. Social Security contributions help fund retirement benefits. They also support crucial disability benefit programs. Sometimes, those who have worked for a living develop medical challenges and can no longer maintain their employment. They must then look for alternate ways to pay their cost of living expenses, like their rent and grocery bills. Social Security Disability Insurance ..read more

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides a crucial safety net for individuals who find themselves unable to work due to severe, long-lasting disabilities. The program is overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Understanding the eligibility criteria for SSDI is essential for applicants, as it involves a detailed assessment of both the medical severity of the disability and the individual’s work history, ensuring that support reaches those most in need. Understanding SSDI eligibility To be eligible for SSDI, an individual must have a medical condition that meets the SSA ..read more

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is similar to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in that they’re both disability programs that are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and they both use the same standards to determine if someone meets SSA’s definition of disability. Although SSI benefits are also available to children with disabilities in low-income households, parents, caregivers and young adults who have been on SSI as children all need to understand what can change when that child comes of age. Children with disabilities can’t be evaluated by adult standards ..read more

It’s not easy to navigate the Social Security Disability (SSD) claims process. There are forms to fill out, explanations that have to be given and time limits that need to be met – and then you have to wait months for any kind of decision. Most likely, that decision will come in the form of a denial letter. Nationally, only 38% of those who meet the technical eligibility requirements for SSD end up being medically approved for disability benefits when they initially file. While your claim’s initial denial may be frustrating and disheartening, it’s not the end of your journey. You have appeal r ..read more

People sometimes make the mistake of assuming that SSDI and SSI are the same. Part of the reason for this is that they are both run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). But these are actually very different programs. The first is Social Security Disability Insurance, while the second is Supplemental Security Income. Despite having similar acronyms and being run by the same government agency, these benefits are not the same program and it’s important for those who are considering applying for assistance to understand all of the differences between them. Work history For one thing, you d ..read more

It can be very dangerous to work with a heart condition. It’s not just that the condition makes it difficult to work. But putting extra stress on the body could make it more likely that someone suffers from a heart attack, an aneurysm or a related issue. This is why many people with chronic heart conditions will find themselves unable to work at all. There’s simply no way for them to safely work in a physical or high-stress occupation – which so many occupations are. So how do you know if you have a heart condition? It’s very important to talk to your doctor if you have any suspicion that ther ..read more

There are many misconceptions surrounding disability in the United States, one of which is that most disabilities look the same, and are easily identifiable. For instance, someone who has suffered a spinal cord injury and is now in a wheelchair is likely living with a disability, while someone with a mental condition like schizophrenia may also qualify as disabled. But people often assume that relatively minor issues will not qualify, and this is a problematic assumption to make. In actuality, even injuries like broken bones could lead to disabling conditions. We have previously discussed Comp ..read more

People who can’t work because of a medical condition or injury need a way to support themselves. For some of them, the help they need comes in the form of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. These benefits are meant for someone whose disabling condition will prevent them from working for at least a year or result in their death. The application process for SSDI can take a long time, but people with certain medical conditions can be fast-tracked. Many people end up with a denial at first and have to appeal. The wait might be too long for people who have terminal conditions. The initi ..read more

Some of the myths people share about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) have a chilling effect. Those who hear and believe the misinformation about these important benefits may fail to claim benefits that they qualify to receive. In that regard, perhaps the most insidious urban legend about SSDI benefits is the idea that everyone who applies gets denied at first. Some people will tell you in complete earnestness that there is no point in applying at all because everyone who applies walks away empty-handed. However, some people do get benefits either because their condition is clearly ..read more

Some of the myths people share about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) have a chilling effect. Those who hear and believe the misinformation about these important benefits may fail to claim benefits that they qualify to receive. In that regard, perhaps the most insidious urban legend about SSDI benefits is the idea that everyone who applies gets denied at first. Some people will tell you in complete earnestness that there is no point in applying at all because everyone who applies walks away empty-handed. However, some people do get benefits either because their condition is clearly ..read more