Simple Answers to Complex Social Security Disability Questions
View PDF | Print View
by: albert.tobega
Total views: 28
Word Count: 1243
The question we probably hear more than any other is "How are Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income different? The truth is, there is a lot of difference between them. Social Security Disability is known as SSD and Supplemental Security Income is known as SSI. In reality, the only concept these two programs have in common is that they were both created for people with disabilities.
Supplemental Security Income is for those disabled persons who have either never been employed and earned money, or have not been employed enough total time to make them eligible for Social Security Disability. This is a wide group, including children, mothers or fathers who stay at home, or people who worked before they were disabled, but did not pay enough into Social Security to qualify them for SSD benefits. Supplemental Security Income is a benefit given based on income as well as disability, so if you have a spouse who makes too much money, you may be denied benefits even if you would qualify otherwise.
Social Security Disability works like this: you work, you pay taxes, and you pay for Social Security. The Social Security Administration keeps records on each individual, recording how many years they worked, how much they earned, and how many Social Security "quarters" they have worked and paid. Once a person has qualified for SSD benefits, a Social Security record or statement will be provided to them annually. In this record, you will be able to see what kind of benefits you would be eligible for were you to become disabled and were granted SSD benefits. Your "DLI," or Date Last Insured ,will also be referenced on your annual SSD record.
Q: "How can I get a copy of my statement?"
A: Getting a copy of your SSD record is easy; simply contact the Social Security Administration and ask. You can also call the 800 number for the Social Security Administration and ask them for the pertinent information which would be how many quarters you have, what your DLI is, etc. To locate your local Social Security office, simply call 1 800 772 1213 or visit the Social Security Administrations website.
Q: "Why dont I qualify for SSD when I worked the majority of my life?"
A: This is a situation that is different for every person. Paying "quarters" into Social Security is similar in concept to paying for health insurance. Insurance benefits will end after a certain time has elapsed since you last paid. This is the same for Social Security. If you work for 25 years and you decide to take early retirement you are now not "paying" into Social Security. After this, you only have a certain amount of time before your Social Security Disability coverage will end. If you are in this situation and your coverage has ended then you should consider applying for SSI.
Q: "I paid good money into the Social Security system, and now it is gone! Why cant I get it back?
A: While you certainly have a point, the Social Security system just does not work this way. In order to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits (and get back some of the money you paid in), you must have been determined to be disabled. Paying into the system simply qualifies you for Social Security Disability.
Q: "I am already getting Social Security Disability but its not enough, I need to get more money."
A: This is often what people say and this situation is understandable. Unfortunately when you are receiving Social Security Disability there is not a such thing as getting more money. With SSD you are either approved and receiving the entire benefit available to you or you are denied and receive nothing. There is only so much "money" in your "account" to be withdrawn. It is similar to if you had a regular bank account that you withdrew monthly funds from, there is only so much money in that bank account and no more is being added because you are not working.
Q: "I was on SSD and then I went go jail, why am I not getting my benefits anymore?"
A: When a person is incarcerated, they become a ward of the state, which pays for food, board, etc., Because of this the Social Security Benefits are stopped and when you are released you often have to reapply for benefits. If you find yourself in this situation, it is a good idea to speak to a lawyer or an expert in SSD laws and policies.
Q: "How long does this process take?"
A: The answer to this changes from applicant to applicant. As a general rule, pretty much every applicant will be rejected one or more times. Because of this, the application process generally takes anywhere from two to five years. If you have been going through this process and now you are facing a hearing it is beneficial for you to at least speak with a representative that knows the law for Social Security benefits. Most Social Security professionals offer a free consultation, and will let you know up front whether or not they can take on your case.
Q: "I was approved but now they are telling me that they over paid me and I have to pay them thousands of dollars back." A: This can happen and it is referred to as an overpayment case. There are attorneys that handle this specific situation.
If you find yourself in any of these situations and you are not sure what to do start asking questions. Contact a local professional for a free consultation and just because one attorney does not want to take your case doesnt mean that another attorney wont. There are attorneys that handle SSI but not SSD and there are attorneys that handle all types of situations with social security benefits. If you do not know how to find a Social Security lawyer or who you should speak to first, there is a referral agency for lawyers who work with Social Security cases. This organization is called NOSSCR, or the National Organization for Social Security Claimants Representatives. When you speak to NOSSCR, be sure to let them know your specific situation, such as a stoppage of payment of benefits (called a cessation), a claim of overpayment, etc., so they can refer you to the best professionals to take on your case.
About the Author
Find more information on social security lawyer, try this link www.HillAndPonton.com.
HTML Code For Copy & Paste
The following code can be copied and pasted into your web page to ensure all links are properly maintained.
Rating: Not yet rated