social security disability

When should you apply for Social Security Disability?


 
This question is routinely addressed by disability attorneys and by columnists. However, the simplest way to answer the question is to state that you should apply for social security disability as soon as your medical condition makes it impossible for you to work, or at least work and earn what is considered to be a substantial and gainful monthly income.

Individuals who are considering whether or not to apply for social security disability will often put off initiating their claim by several months. While this is understandable, it can, given the fact that disability claims filed with the social security administration can take months, even years to result in an award of benefits, be an unwise course of action.

Here is a short of scenarios that may guide when and when not to apply for social security disability.

1. An individual is working full-time: the likelihood is that the gross monthly earned income of an individual who is working full-time will exceed the standard for substantial and gainful income (the actual dollar amount changes each year).

Even if that were not the case, however, the ability to work full time will not serve to substantiate an individual's claim for disability. For these reasons, an individual who is working full time should not choose to apply for social security disability, but, instead, should wait until their physical or mental condition makes continuing working impossible, or make it impossible to work enough (days, hours, weeks, etc) to approach what the social security administration considers a monthly substantial and gainful income.

2. An individual is working part-time and the prospect of working full time does not seem likely due to their mental or physical condition: an individual in this type of scenario should probably make the decision to apply for social security disability. The inability to work at a substantial and gainful income level will substantiate a claim for disability benefits, assuming, of course, that an individual's medical records will corroborate the individual's functional limitations which exist as a result of their medical condition.

What happens if you actually do apply for social security disability while you are working? Then the outcome is one that does not involve a medical evaluation. In other words, social security will deny the claim without reviewing the individual's medical records. In other words, if a person is working and earning a substantial and gainful income, they cannot receive disability benefits no matter how disabling their condition is.














How the programs really work:  

Social Security Disability and SSI Disability

Including Tips, Advice, Strategies & Common mistakes to avoid.










Topics and Questions


  • Waiting for a Hearing to be Scheduled before an ALJ, Administrative Law Judge

  • How Many Times Will Social Security Disability Deny You before You Get Approved?

  • What does the Severity of your impairment have to do with Your Disability Claim?

  • Does your chance of winning disability benefits at a hearing depend on the judge you get?

  • A medical source statement for a Social Security Disability Case

  • Will my claim for SSD or SSI Disability Benefits be denied?

  • Social Security Disability - The claimant's ability to work

  • What Benefits come with SSI Disability?

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • When Social Security Disability Sends You To A Doctor, What Kind Is It?

  • Qualifications for Social Security Disability

  • Who is the DDS Doctor, i.e. the Social Security Doctor?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

  • Degenerative disc disease and Applying for Social Security Disability SSI Benefits

  • Does Social Security Depend on Your Illness or the kind of Work that You Did?

  • Apply for Disability with Depression

  • How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Denied

  • Submitting a Social Security Disability Appeal is usually Good Advice

  • Medical Records Social Security Disability

  • Getting a Social Security Disability Representative for your case

  • How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability SSI Hearing

  • Are SSI Disability Claims Handled Differently Than Social Security Disability Claims?

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability SSI

  • How Much Income Can A Person Earn If He Draws Social Security Disability?

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Why does Representation increase the win ratio at a Social Security Disability or SSI Hearing?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • Do You Qualify For SSDI Benefits from SSA? (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • Can an adult who has been to college but hasn't worked for a long time get Disability Benefits?

  • Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability

  • Will Being A Veteran Affect Your Eligibility And Chances For Social Security Disability?

  • Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

  • How often does someone get disability approved in just a few months ?

  • Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

  • The difference between an Application for disability and a Social Security Reconsideration?

  • How many are denied disability benefits under the SSDI and SSI Programs?

  • Requesting a Disability Hearing After You are Denied














    Special Sections


  • Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • Filing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • Social Security Disability SSI Decisions

  • What is considered a Disabling condition?

  • The Disability Decision Process

  • Winning Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Getting Denied for Disability







    Return to SSI, Social Security Disability Benefits Center