Social Security Disability: How do you apply?
Social security disability overview:
 Social
Security disability pays benefits to people who become disabled and
can no longer continue doing the work they used to do. Social
Security Disability (SSD) is provided by the Social Security program
which also provides another program called the Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) program, which provides basic income to people who are
elderly or disabled without regard to their work history. While
Supplemental Security Income will be discussed on a separate page,
this web page will discuss information specific to Social Security
disability.
Social Security Disability:
You may qualify
for Social Security disability if you are longer able to do the type
of work you have been doing and cannot do any other work at the
present time. Your disability should last or be expected to last for
at least one year. If you’re able to qualify and have a spouse over
the age of 62, he/she may also be entitled to some benefits. You must
have a certain minimum amount of work credits to qualify for Social
Security disability.
To
apply for
Social Security disability, you should go to your local Social
Security office and bring the following items with you:
-
your medical
records;
-
your Social
Security number;
-
your birth
certificate;
-
the names,
addresses, and phone numbers of your doctors;
-
a copy of your
W-2 form; and,
-
your most recent
tax return.
You may be
required to be examined by a doctor selected by the Disability
Determination Service (a branch of Social Security) in order to
qualify for Social Security disability. If for any reason, your
disability is denied, you will have 60 days to appeal the decision.
If approved, Social Security disability payments will begin in the
sixth month of your disability. After you have received benefits for
two years, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. The case
will be reviewed periodically in order to ensure that you are still
disabled.
It is possible to
work and still receive Social Security disability benefits. One
program allows you to work on a trial basis for nine months while
keeping your benefits. After that, you can continue working for 36
months as long as you do not have substantial income. ( In 2004,
earnings of more then $804 per month for considered substantial.)
Once your benefits stop because you are working, there is a five-year
period of time in which your Social Security disability benefits can
automatically start again, if you stop working.
Information from Senior’s Rights by Brette McWhorter Sember
Additional
information and web page by Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D
Candidate - Clinical Director
Senior Care Psychological Consulting
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