Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI Q & A
Source: Social Security Administration
General
Questions About SSDI
SSDI
and Eligibility
SSDI
and Enrollment
SSDI
Application/Interview Process
SSDI
and Immigration
General Questions
About SSDI
What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefit for people
who have worked in the past and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI benefits
are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of their
disability.
Where can I get more information
about SSDI?
For more information on SSDI, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
To locate a local Social Security office, visit
http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.
What is the difference between
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI)?
The medical requirements for disability payments
are the same under both Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) programs, and the same process is used for
both programs to determine your client's disability.
Supplemental Security Income is a program run
by Social Security that pays monthly benefits
to the elderly, the blind and people who have
disabilities and very low income. If your client
is receiving SSI, he/she will also most likely
qualify for food stamps and Medicaid, too. While
non-medical eligibility for Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work under
Social Security, SSI disability payments are based
on income and resource specifications.
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SSDI and Eligibility
Who is eligible for SSDI?
Your clients may be eligible to receive SSDI if they:
- Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
- Have a medical condition that meets Social
Security's definition of a disability
To receive SSDI, your client's disability must be expected
to last at least one year or result in death.
Your client will not receive benefits for partial
or for short-term disability (less than a year).
For more information about work credits for disability
benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/credits3.htm.
Why is there a five-month waiting
period to receive SSDI benefits?
The waiting period is long enough to permit most disabilities to be corrected
or for your client to show signs of probable recovery within less than 12 months
after the onset of disability.
What does Social Security consider
a disability?
Disability under Social Security is based on a
person's inability to work. Your client will be
considered disabled if he/she cannot perform at
the same working capacity as he/she did before,
and Social Security decides that he/she cannot
adjust to other work because of his/her medical
condition(s). Your client's disability must also
last or be expected to last for at least one year
or to result in death. Click
here for the Social Security Administration's
definition of disability.
Where can I get a list of disabling
impairments for Social Security Disability?
You can get a copy of Disability Evaluation Under Social Security ("The
Blue Book" 5/02; SSA Publication No. 64-039), which contains the medical
criteria Social Security uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily
for physicians and other health professionals.
The Blue Book is online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
This book can also be obtained free of charge by writing
or calling:
Social Security Administration
Office of Supply and Warehouse Management
239 Supply Building
6301 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
You can also reach them via fax
at (410) 965-2037 or e-mail at oplm.oswm.rpt.orders@ssa.gov.
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SSDI
and Enrollment
What information does my client
need to provide in order to apply for SSDI benefits?
Your client may need to provide the following information to apply for SSDI
benefits:
- Social Security number
(Social Security number cards and replacements can be requested through the
SSA Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber)
- Birth certificate or other proof of age
(the SSA Web site can help you locate the appropriate contact to obtain a
copy of your client’s birth certificate at www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html)
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors,
hospitals, clinics, and institutions that treated you, and the dates
of treatment
- Names of all medications being taken
Original documents or copies certified
by the issuing office must be provided.
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SSDI Application/Interview
Process
How does my client apply for SSDI?
Your clients can apply for disability benefits
online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability,
or by calling toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. Social
Security representatives can make an appointment
for your client's application to be taken over
the telephone or at a local Social Security office.
What is the typical time period
to apply for SSDI?
Social Security considers the application filing
date to be the day your client makes an appointment
to apply for SSDI. If the person fails to keep
this appointment, Social Security will send a
letter saying the person must apply within six
months from the date on the letter in order to
use the date of the original call as the application
date.
It generally takes approximately 90 days to process a
claim for disability benefits. The time may be
shorter or longer depending on the amount of information
required to make a decision on your client's claim.
Once my client is eligible for SSDI, how long
will he/she be enrolled?
Your client will continue to receive SSDI benefits
as long as he/she continues to be disabled and
meets other eligibility requirements. However,
Social Security will periodically review your
client's case to see whether he/she is still disabled.
The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation
of recovery.
- If medical improvement
is "expected," your client's case
will be reviewed within six to 18 months.
- If medical improvement
is "possible," your client's case
will be reviewed in three years.
- If medical improvement
is "not expected," your client's
case will be reviewed in seven years.
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SSDI and
Immigration
If my client is an immigrant, is he/she still
eligible for SSDI benefits?
If your client is an immigrant, to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, he/she
must:
- Be a qualified alien
- Meet an exception condition that allows qualified
aliens to get SSDI
- Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
- Have a medical condition that Social Security
considers a disability (see "What
Makes Your Client Eligible" for more information about
what Social Security considers a disability)
The Social Security Administration has a new process for non-citizens
to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration
process. Now, people age 18 and older applying for immigrant visas
with the U.S. Department of State can also apply for SSN cards at the
same time.
For more information on Social Security's immigration
policy, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/immigration.
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