Getting approved for Social Security Disability (SSDI) is not easy. Even when you suffer from a physical or mental impairment, you may not qualify for assistance and benefits. When it comes to mental impairments, there are no specific symptoms that would guarantee approval. Instead, Social Security will view your symptoms and their impact on your overall life and ability to work. Mental impairments impact everyone differently. As such, when investigating your claim, they will need to dive deeper to determine how your diagnosis and symptoms affect you specifically. How do your mental impairments impact your functional capacity to work?  

According to the CDC, about three percent of Americans who are 40 years old or older are either legally blind or are visually impaired. About twenty-one million Americans report functional vision problems or eye conditions. These conditions can significantly compromise vision. If you are legally or statutorily blind, you may qualify for SSDI benefits. If you have suffered vision loss, it is important to know that the Social Security Administration looks at vision loss a bit differently than other types of disabilities. 

Those who have been denied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have the right to send the application for reconsideration, and, if it is denied again, to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It can take up to a year or more to get a hearing date, but the good news is that, according to the Social Security Administration nearly 50 percent of those who take their case to this level will be approved. It is imperative to be well-prepared for your ALJ hearing, particularly regarding medical evidence to support your claim for disability benefits.

If you have applied for Social Security Disability (sometimes known as Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI), and have been denied, don’t give up hope. You have options for appealing the SSDI denial—in fact, there are four appeal levels in the SSDI process. Unfortunately, many people decide to file a new application, rather than appealing their original denial. It is important to know that when you file a new application, it could also be denied, just like your first application and you could also lose out on past due benefits. In fact, according to https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2019/index.html a full two thirds of initial applications are denied, whether due to insufficient work credits, lack of a qualifying medical condition, or other factors.

In the U.S., Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits are typically only available to qualifying adults with a work history. In order to qualify for these benefits, disabled adults must have worked and paid into the system. They must accrue a specific number of work credits to qualify. However, children whose parents are disabled, retired, or deceased may also be able to collect benefits.

In 2017 alone, the Social Security Administration paid an average of $2.6 billion each month to more than 4.2 million qualifying children. This money helps children complete high school and pays for food and shelter. When a parent becomes disabled or suddenly passes away, Social Security benefits can help keep the family afloat and provide a vital income for these children.

There are currently 8.4 million disabled workers receiving a monthly disability check in the United States, along with approximately 1.6 million spouses and children of disabled workers. While Social Security was initially created for retired workers, disability income was added to help those workers who are unable to continue to work and make a living. Each year, the monthly earning thresholds are (at least marginally) increased. The monthly earning thresholds allow a disabled person to earn up to a specific amount of money before disability payments cease. 

According to the Social Security government website, a representative payee is a person or organization who helps a person receiving monthly Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Social Security Disability to manage his or her financial affairs. The person or organization could be chosen by Social Security, or the person could have applied to SSA to be designated as representative payee. 

What Does a Disability Law Firm Do?

If you are disabled, you may be eligible to collect benefits through the Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. You may also qualify for Veteran’s Disability benefits if you are a wounded veteran. 

Is Your Disabled Adult Child Eligible for Government Benefits?

A disabled adult child (DAC) may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.  If the child is disabled and one of his or her parents currently receives Social Security benefits, the child may be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits based on the parent’s earnings record. If the child is over the age of 18, he or she may qualify for benefits as a disabled adult child.

You may wonder whether you can legally collect Social Security Disability benefits at the same time you are receiving VA disability benefits. In fact, it is not all that uncommon for veterans to be receiving both Social Security Disability and Veteran’s disability benefits at the same time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2017, nearly 4.2 million U.S. veterans lived with some level of disability. Of these, approximately 1.4 million have been given a VA disability rating of 70 percent or higher. This means their current disability prevents them from obtaining employment and earning a living, or even living “normally.”