How many different types of Social Security disability benefits
are there?
How do I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
I am disabled, but I
have plenty of money in the bank. Do I have to wait until this
money is gone before I apply for Social Security disability
benefits?
I used to work but
lately I have been staying home taking care of the kids. I have
now become sick. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?
How long do I have
to wait after becoming disabled before I can file for Social
Security disability benefits?
I am still on
sick leave from my employer. Can I file for Social Security
disability now or do I have to wait until the sick leave is
exhausted?
I got hurt on
the job. I am drawing worker's compensation benefits. Can I file a
claim for Social Security disability benefits now or should I wait
until the worker's compensation ends?
Can I get both
worker's compensation and Social Security disability benefits?
How can I tell
if I will be found disabled by Social Security?
What is the definition of disability used by Social Security?
Under the Social Security Act, "disability"
means "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
months."
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How many different types of Social Security disability benefits
are there?
There are at least five major types of Social
Security disability benefits. Disability Insurance Benefits is the
most important type of Social Security disability benefits. It
goes to individuals who have worked in recent years (five out of
the last 10 years in most cases) who are now disabled. Disabled
Widow's and Widower's Benefits are paid to individuals who are at
least 50 and become disabled within a certain amount of time after
the death of their husband or wife. The late husband or wife must
have worked enough under Social Security to be insured. Disabled
Adult Child Benefits go to the children of persons who are
deceased or who are drawing Social Security disability or
retirement benefits. The child must have become disabled before
age 22. For Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widow's or
Widower's Benefits and Disabled Adult Child benefits, it does not
matter whether the disabled individual is rich or poor. Benefits
are paid based upon a Social Security earnings record.
Supplemental Security Income benefits, however, are paid to
individuals who are poor and who are disabled. It does not matter
for SSI whether an individual has worked in the past or not. SSI
child's disability benefits are a variety of SSI benefits paid to
children under the age of 18 who are disabled. The way in which
disability is determined is a bit different for children.
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How do I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
The best, surest way to file a Social Security
disability claim is to go to the nearest Social Security office in
person and wait (often for a few hours) to see someone to file the
claim in person. In the alternative, a person may contact Social
Security by telephone and arrange for a telephone interview to
file the claim.
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I am disabled,
but I have plenty of money in the bank. Do I have to wait until
this money is gone before I apply for Social Security disability
benefits?
No. If you have worked in recent years or if you
are applying for Disabled Widow's or Widower's benefits or
Disabled Adult Child benefits, it does not matter how much money
you have in the bank. There is no reason to wait to file the
claim.
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I used to work
but lately I have been staying home taking care of the kids. I
have now become sick. Can I get Social Security disability
benefits?
