Signs That You Will Be Approved for Disability
Although no attorney can guarantee that the SSA will approve your application for social security disability benefits, some factors push the odds of approval in your favor.
Explaining Work History on Your SSD Application for Benefits
One way the SSA evaluates whether your disability prevents you from working is by conducting a thorough examination of your work history. You submit work history information on the Work History Report. Here’s what the SSA is looking for, and how to complete the form to improve the chance your disability application is approved.
What Are the Social Security Disability Criteria for Benefits
Like all benefits programs, the SSDI program has certain criteria applicants must meet to be eligible for monthly disability benefits. This post covers requirements and eligibility for SSI, SSD and Disabling Conditions.
Social Security Disability and Mental Health Disorders
The application process for SSD benefits is not easy. It is estimated that less than 40% of all SSD applications are approved. Furthermore, the application process is a lengthy one. For mental health disorders, investigators will likely be even more selective. Therefore, people should consider meeting with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to prevent unnecessary problems from occurring.
Should You Receive SSD Benefits, Early Retirement, or Both?
The main difference between social security disability insurance and social security retirement is simple. With Social Security disability insurance, you have to prove that you’re disabled. Social Security retirement, however, is based on age. We typically advise our clients not to work unless they plan to work full-time because you will lose your benefits if you exceed a certain amount of earnings. You can start receiving retirement benefits at 62, but there is a deduction if you start claiming them before 67. To learn more, watch our short videos.
Retirement and Social Security Disability
Whether you can receive retirement and SSDI benefits depends on what you mean by “retirement”. For SSDI purposes, retirement means benefits paid through the SSA. Yet Social Security retirement benefits are not always the only benefit people receive when they retire. Pensions or 401(k) plans through an employer also pay benefits at retirement. While many people generically refer to each of these as “retirement” benefits, for purposes of receiving both SSDI and retirement benefits, they are very different.
Are Pensions Affected by SSDI Benefits?
When you apply for SSDI, the Social Security Administration calculates the amount of your possible monthly disability benefits based on your work history. The SSA may reduce the amount you receive in some cases if you have other sources of income. Specifically, Social Security may lower your disability payments if you receive certain types of pension payments. To learn more watch our short video.
Can You Collect Unemployment Benefits and Receive SSD Benefits
It could take almost two years before your SSD application is approved and you begin receiving benefits. The low initial approval rates combined with the lengthy wait times mean that many people who are unable to work apply for unemployment benefits to bridge the gap. While it is possible to obtain SSD benefits while receiving unemployment, some issues could complicate the process.
Highest and Lowest Approval Rates for SSD and SSI
SSDI and SSI are federal benefits programs that pay monthly benefits to applicants who meet each program’s eligibility criteria. Although the average national approval rate for SSD benefits is 45.22%, some states fall well above, and others well below, that average. Learn more ...
What Is Double Dipping on Social Security Benefits?
In an age in which the necessity of certain entitlements is constantly being called to question, quite a few things that were once acceptable are now being called into question. "Double dipping" on your social security benefits is one example. The following is a closer look at how this works.
