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Produced at U.S. taxpayer expense
Charo Boyd, SSA Public Affairs Specialist
Understanding Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Presented by:
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my Social Security – Registration
Step 1: Visit socialsecurity.gov and select
my Social Security
Step 2: Select “Create An Account”
Step 3: Verify your Identity
Step 4: Choose a Username and Password
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Social Security’s Disability Definition:
A medical condition preventing substantial
work for at least 12 months, or expected to
result in death. The determination also
considers age, education & work experience
(Definition for adults over age 18)
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Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Usually, the best gauge of a person’s ability to work is
the amount of pay received.
Currently, earnings from work activity averaging more
than $1,220 per month are considered SGA.
For the blind individual, the SGA level is $2,040.
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Types of Disability Programs
Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security Benefits for adults disabled since childhood
Social Security Benefits for widow(er)s with disabilities
SSI Benefits for children/adults
Supplemental Security Income
blind, at any age; or
disabled, at any age; or
age 65 or older
Who Can Get SSI?
People with limited income
and resources who are:
Financed by General Revenue
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Supplemental Security Income
Resource limits
— $2,000 for individual — $3,000 for couple
We count
— bank accounts (CDs, IRAs), liquid assets
— second car, property other than where you live
— stocks and bonds, 401Ks
We don’t count as resources
— home in which you live
— first car
— burial plots, some resources set aside for burial
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)
To qualify, disabled person must have
a work history
Must have paid into Social Security
5 out of the last 10 years
Special rules apply to younger persons
who need fewer credits to qualify
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Earnings Requirement for SSDI
In 2019 each $1,360 in earnings gives you one credit
You can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year
Example: To earn 4 credits in 2019, you must earn at least $5,440.
Earning 40 credits (10 years of work) throughout your working life
will qualify you for a retirement benefit.
The amount of work credit and duration of work required for
disability varies depending on age.
Social Security for Adults Disabled Since
Childhood and Disabled Widow(er)s
Benefits can be paid on the record of a
disabled, retired, or deceased parent to unmarried
children of any age if the child became disabled
before the age of 22.
Benefits can be paid on the record of a deceased
worker to a widow(er) aged 50/60 who is
disabled
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Applying for Benefits
3 options available to apply:
Online at www.socialsecurity.gov
By phone 1-800-772-1213
At our office
You choose the most convenient option for you!
Note: Child and survivor claims can only be done by phone or in a field office (not online) at this time.
The Application Process
Disability Report: Describe disabling condition(s)
Provide information about medical sources
Provide information about medications
Provide background information about education & past work history
Online or Starter Kit worksheet
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm
Medical Release Form:Authorize release of records to be used in making the disability
decision
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What Happens Next?
Social Security will forward paperwork to
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
DDS will contact treating sources to obtain
medical records
DDS may ask applicant to complete additional
forms to give specific information about how the
conditions affects daily activities
And Then What?
If there is enough information in existing records,
along with statements, a disability decision will be
made
The applicant may be asked to see a doctor to clear
up some issues before a decision can be made (Social
Security will pay for this visit)
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Sequential Evaluation for Adult Claims
Is the applicant working?
Can the applicant do past work?
Are the medical conditions on the Listing of Impairments?
www.SocialSecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
Are the medical conditions severe?
Can the applicant do other work?
A step-by-step process
If Approved
Social Security: Benefits will begin with the 6th
full month of disability after the date we find
disability began
SSI: Benefits begin month after filing for SSI
Case is reviewed periodically for both benefits
Must notify Social Security of changes, such as
return to work
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If Denied
A notice will be sent
An appeal may be filed within
60 days of the notice date
If you recently applied for Social Security or Supplemental
Security Income disability benefits and were denied for
medical reasons, you can file an appeal online and check
the status with your personal my Social Security account.
Reconsideration
1st level of appeal is Request for Reconsideration
Information will be updated since original application
Another review will be made by the Disability
Determination Service and a new decision made
Process generally takes 60-90 days
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Hearing
If reconsideration is denied:
Next level is Hearing before an
Administrative Law Judge
May take a year or longer
Appeals after the hearing are to the
Appeals Council & Federal District Court
socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances
Compassionate Allowances (CAL) A way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical
conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of
Impairments based on minimal objective medical information
Allows Social Security to target the most obviously disabled
individuals for allowances based on objective medical
information that we can obtain quickly
Is not a separate program from the Social Security Disability
Insurance or Supplemental Security Income programs
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socialsecurity.gov/veterans
Wounded warriors and
veterans with 100%
Permanent & Total
disability ratings from
the VA may be able to
get expedited medical
decisions on SSDI and
SSI applications.
Wounded Warriors & Veterans
Explains our work incentives, which are employment-
support provisions intended to assist you in your efforts to
become self-sufficient through work
Employment supports can help you find a job or start a
business, protect your cash and medical benefits while
you work, or help you save money to go to school.
Work Incentive Programs
socialsecurity.gov/redbook
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Contacting Social Security
Visit the website
www.socialsecurity.gov
Call the toll-free number
1-800-772-1213Specific questions can be answered from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information is provided by automated phone service 24 hours a day.
If deaf or hard of hearing, call Social Security’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
Visit a local office
Most offices are open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except
Federal holidays.
www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi