SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
You do not have to be permanently disabled to collect social security disability (SSD) or SSI income. In fact, the social security administration anticipates that at any given point a claimant’s condition may substantially improve, and thus requires those awarded disability benefits to participate in the process of continuing disability review, or CDR. The sole purpose of the CDR process is to determine if there has been any improvement in the claimant’s medical or financial circumstances.

Approved claims are subject to “diary review dates” after one, three, and seven years, depending on the condition for which disability was awarded and the probability for improvement. Normally all that is needed to avoid interruption of disability benefits is medical documentation that the claimant still suffers from the impairment for which disability was originally awarded, and that there has been no improvement.

However, although you do not have to be permanently disabled to qualify for SSD or SSI benefits, you do have to be totally disabled, as defined by the social security administration (SSA). SSA considers an individual totally disabled only if he or she is unable to earn more that the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount for a given year.

The monthly SGA for 2012 is about $1040.00 for non-blind individuals (to see the current SGA amount). Disability claimants must be able to document, through their medical records, that their condition is severe enough to prevent them from returning to their job, or from performing any other job for which they may be suited, for at least one year.

Social security does not define totally disabled as unable to perform any work. You can work when you apply for disability and you can work after you are awarded disability—you just can’t make more than the SGA amount (this amount is updated annually to reflect inflation and cost of living increases).

Just keep in mind that, unlike workers’ compensation, which is governed by state laws and may award benefits for partial or temporary disability depending upon the state, social security disability programs are run by the federal government—no matter where you file in the United States, you will be awarded SSD or SSI benefits only if you can demonstrate a severe, ongoing physical or mental impairment, that is not likely to improve, under any circumstances, within the next year.














Return to:  SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page












Individual Questions and Answers


  • Social Security Disability Claim Status

  • What happens if my SSI or Social Security Disability Application is denied?

  • Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?

  • How do you apply for disability if you have depression problems ?

  • Does Social Security Like Current Medical Records?

  • Receiving a Social Security Disability Award Letter

  • How long does the administrative law judge take to make a decision on an SSD or SSI disability case?

  • What does a Disability Lawyer do to help you?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Michigan

  • Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

  • How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

  • Does Social Security Disability Always Have To Look At Your Job History?

  • Chronic Fatigue, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • If my disability claim is denied do I have to file an appeal to win back pay and monthly benefits?

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal ?

  • How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

  • SSI Disability for Children and Age Appropriate Activities

  • Will Your Claim for Disability be Handled Differently if it is Based on a Physical or Mental Problem?

  • Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

  • How to qualify for disability - The Process of Qualifying for Benefits

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Texas

  • What are the questions that get asked at a social security disability or SSI hearing?

  • Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

  • SSI for children

  • Questions about Disability Lawyers and Hiring a Disability Attorney

  • What kinds of cases win Disability Benefits

  • Can You Get SSD or SSI Disability Benefits If you are Injured In An Accident?

  • If You Get Workers Comp, Will You Get Disability From Social Security?

  • Social Security Disability Attorney Qualifications and Expenses

  • Can you file for Social Security disability for a mental disorder or problem?

  • Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

  • Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

  • Migraines, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • When I Apply for Disability - Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI?

  • Can You Apply For Disability When You Lose Your Job?

  • How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don’t Have Money To Go To the Doctor?

  • Can You Qualify for Disability if you did not work much?

  • What are the Chances of Being Approved for a Child who is Filing for Disability?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

  • What Are The Steps To Applying For Disability Benefits from Social Security?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Oregon

  • After a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim has been taken and is Pending

  • What does social security mean by other work?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials