As we continue to reflect on the 60th anniversary of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) this year, it’s worth noting some of the ways the program has evolved over time. A lot has changed since DI started in 1956! We continuously work to ensure our programs keep pace with rapid changes in medical care, healthcare delivery models, assistive technology, and workplace requirements.
- Medical care: Our disability programs have strict eligibility criteria, and beneficiaries must have severe impairments. For many of the most severe impairments, we rely on comprehensive listings of disabling conditions to make our disability decisions. We update the listings periodically to keep pace with advancements in medical care and assistive technologies. This year, we published comprehensive updates to the medical listings for respiratory, neurological, and mental disorders.
- Technology: Medical records are essential for making our disability determinations, and each year we make nearly 15 million requests for records from healthcare providers and organizations to make medical decisions on about three million disability claims. Now, participating healthcare organizations send us medical records electronically through health information technology. With electronic records transmission, we can obtain medical records in seconds or minutes. That lets us obtain a claimant’s medical record, review it with the aid of automated decision-support, and make a determination faster than ever before. We currently can receive electronic medical records from about 7,000 healthcare facilities across the country, and are adding new providers and facilities on an ongoing basis.
- Healthcare delivery: Because we rely heavily on medical evidence, we adjust our policies to keep up with changing healthcare delivery models. For example, we’re looking into the types of medical professionals that frequently provide care, and are considering whether telehealth – such as providing healthcare consultations remotely by video – might improve the medical evidence we can gather for certain populations.
- Updating Vocational Information: By law, we consider an applicant to be disabled if their medical condition prevents them from doing any job in the national economy, given the applicant’s age, education, and work experience. That means we need detailed information about the physical and mental requirements of a wide range of occupations in the national economy. We work with the Bureau of Labor Statistics to update this information and keep pace with the changing world of work.
We’re proud to live up to our mission to “deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.”
I would like to know about any new information about SSDI. Is it possible to be eligible for a upgrade? I have been on SSDI from 2000, is my amount of money final?
Yes, amount of money is what you get, except for the COLA increases (every) year which gives you a few dollars more.
Good luck with getting increases. I hardly ever get an increase & when I do they increase how much they take out for Medicare so this year they gave us 0.3% increase which all went to the Medicare & we didn’t get a penny more in our check. Its a big joke that they think we can live on the little bit they give us. I can’t afford to pay for my meds without using cc. Good luck. I really wish I was able to work but I can’t. I can’t even function like a normal person. I’m trying to shop for the holiday & I can’t even walk thru the stores.
Hi Debbie. If you have limited income and resources, your state may help you pay for Part A and/or Part B. You may also qualify for Extra Help to pay for your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Please visit http://www.Medicare.gov for more information.
THAT REALLY IS NO HELP.Understand no car,no gifts,$750 .00 when rent is paid means Medicaid is on a sliding scale .More money out of the $750 .Food Stamps and no money for soap .
I am in a very rough financial situation! I need better medical care and housing! Too many medical providers will not take Medicare and/or the advantage plans. Housing is GONE! The bleakness of what has and is happening for the elderly and disabled on Medicare is a disgrace!
Help me please
the rich people need to help us poor american people out then we poor people wouldnt have to beg,plead,ask for help all the time or do you rich congress and the rich people like to see poor americans beg,plead,and ask for help so you people can laugh at us. you people must think we poor americans are funny when we beg,plead,and ask for help and all we get is im sorry cant or want help huh! its not funny because ive done my share of asking for help and get turned down.do you people think thats funny? i dont. its down right a pity, a shame and a disgrace to be an american.
Why should the “rich” pay for you. They have worked just as hard as anyone else. I am barely making ends meet but I would NEVER think I am entitled to anything that I didn’t work for.
I agree with Linda….. I don’t feel that just because someone has worked hard for their wages, that they are supposed to turn around a give it away to someone that says “I’m poor. I beg and plead for money.” If you deserve financial help, there are programs that will help people that are truly entitled and qualify for financial help. Jo Ann James makes it sound like anyone that is doing well, should mail her money…. just because??????
Disability is money you put info social security on your own. If you become disabled you get your money, not others.
You are 100% correct. Why doesn’t anyone else understand that?
No, what you get is based upon a formula which considers what you paid in but what you receive is not yours. Moreover, what difference does it make?
Not true
In 3 years of disability you will use up all the money you put in. So the people who are working are paying for you.
The way taxation works is that people pay taxes to finance those things necessary for the good of the people and the country. This concept is especially difficult for today’s Americans, but this is how societies/nations function. We pay for roads we don’t personally use, schools we don’t personally attend, fire services we might never need, an extreme military budget that we might deeply oppose. This is a grownup responsibility.
It is not about entitlements! It is about a program that have worked since 1956, that every tax payer agree to pay into and benefit from.
Exactly!
Yes, Social Security/Medicare are entitlements, by definition. I don’t know what you think that word means, but an entitlement is a benefit for which on becomes eligible upon meeting certain conditions, such as reaching retirement age. If you live long, or need major medical care, you will get back far more in benefits than you, personally, paid in. We have aid programs for the disabled who were either never in the workforce, or became disabled before retirement, because most people are not selfish beasts who would rather see fellow citizens suffer and die.
Linda ,working class ,not the rich ,are paying for America on their back the rich and the poor ,have totally put all the burden on the worker.The fact that the finger points to the poor always makes me laugh .The rich do not pay .Ask Trump,he would be a fool if he did not take those IRS brakes.
No, but admittedly, since the Clinton admin. it has become cool to ignore our poverty crisis. For the seriously ill/disabled, conditions became all the more difficult, but that’s a complicated issue, and we’re in an era of “Keep it simple.” Beyond this, some HAVE been trying for years to shine a spotlight on America’s poverty crisis. The US shut down/shipped out a huge number of jobs since the 1980s, ended actual welfare aid in the 1990s, and Americans pretend there are no consequences.
Playing the blame game of who started the problems will not cure the ills of this Nations. What we need is Politician on the Federal and State levels of Government to fix the situation.
In order to understand the problems, it helps to look back at how we reached this point. What some call “the blame game,” others call “accepting responsibility.”
I agree. The politicians of the Federal and
state need to pay their fair taxes and the President of the United States need to pay his fair taxes. The new incoming president of the United States need to share his or her taxes as any other citizen would. If you want to make America great again, show a positive example that you believe in the American way
I totally agree Gladys. Everyone should pay their fair part. I think theres more to it. President Trump isnt in office yet so taking a shot at him as a citizen is pointless
What does need to be addressed is the theiving and corrupt administration who spends taxpayers money for everything else like its their own bank account.
How many Americans do you know of that spends 42Million on their vaccations? Now times that by 6 since thats how many FAMILY vaccations the Obamas have taken. Not to mention all the other side trips to other countries that weve paid for because they “Needed to get away”.
Or how many grandmothers do you know that get paid 160.000$ a year for supposedly babysitting their grandkids? Which i might add are in high school and college. None that i know of gets paid that,since grandmothers will babysit because they love and want to spend time with them,is payment enough. I guess it wasnt enough Michelles mother has been living in the White House for the past 8yrs on the taxpayers. With all their money im sure she could of got her own place. So that is unjustified as far as im concerned. But for her to continue to receive that kind of money for the rest of her life is even more of an unjustice to the American taxpayer,and for doing what? Nothing!!! Times that money wasted on her for 10-15 more years when to be fair that kind of money would be better used for our Vets-homeless-elderly,education,school lunches that our children can actually eat. The list is longer than route 66.
So you dont see anything wrong with illegals and refugees obama has approved monthly benefits from anywhere between 2,000-5,000 in SS and housing,food stamps,medical and transportation?
You must think its absurd that an American would ask for alittle more to come their way since theyve been a taxpayer most of their lives?
This is where you say”Lets Make America Great Again”
I need help and I feel like I just can’t get it no matter what I did to try it seems like I get push-back father and father please try to help me look over my paper work thank you
Don’t blame your father.
I need help and I feel like I just can’t get it no matter what I did to try it seems like I get push-back father and father please try to help me look over my paper work thank you
farther is the word you are looking for
You need to hire an attorney that is a specialist in social security benefits.
The cost of the assistance from that help is worth it, especially once you realize that you no longer have the stress of trying to get everything that is required by the social security determination board.
Attorneys who specializes in ssdi knows what, when & how to proceed with your application or appeal for ssdi benefits for you to receive the maximum amount that you are entitled to without further delay.
In the end the judge makes the final decision on the total amount your attorney is allowed to receive for their assistance with your claim.
In other words say the attorney submits a bill to you that is out of the “norm” or what the law says they are entitled to take from your benefit award package, the judge reviews the Attorneys submitted fees.
If the judge thinks the fee is too much or that the lawyer is taking too much from your award he can “override” that total amount, he can decide what the attorney Will be ALLOWED to be paid for his services in your claim. Period.
So do not let the costs of an attorney deter you to get the HELP you are seeking.
Thank you for your comment Nanachristy. Prior to charging or collecting a fee from a claimant for services provided in any proceeding before the Social Security Administration (SSA), a representative generally must obtain SSA’s authorization. Please visit our “Fee Agreement Process” web page for complete information.
True, there are consequences. The more give away programs you have the less the able bodied are incentivised to work.
You really think that the little amounts that social security disability gives people that are disabled makes them not wanting to work? HA. If i could work I could. Sorry but 964 in SSDI and 16$ in food stamps is hardly enough. If i could work i’d be happy to but sadly I cannot.
Unfortunately a lot of emotion and little knowledge being bandied about. 60 years ago Congress thought people could save, they would have a pension and have social security. It was not meant to live on. The idea that the Clintons started the end of the welfare state is absurd and uninformed. It started with Carter, picked up with Reagan, and since the Clintons had few principles other than staying in office, they were GOP-lite. Bush was awful and Obama had no cooperation. The point of all this: you probably voted for lots of these folks thinking you could magically cut the budget and get rid of the deadbeats. They can’t believe their good fortune at your appalling lack of understanding.
Social insurance is like any other insurance: funds are collected and administered to those that have the right to claim. To think that social security is a form of welfare is sheer dishonesty, yet you just voted in a President and House that believes just that and will pursue that agenda. Ridding us of social security is as dumb as getting rid of auto insurance, homeowner insurance or health insurance. The only difference is the animus that goes against any involvement by government. Voting has consequences. Good luck with what you fell for in voting for “Make America Great Again”.
Damn straight!!! the rich are sadist’s it’s sad
Groveling is pathetic.
Disability payments were not the original intent of social security at all! That should have been a separate program with its own funding. Instead last year the government quietly took away file and suspend from people who had worked and waited for years to follow the rules finally get it. Now instead of complaining about not getting enough their going to get nothing! The money was taken from them and given to people on disability. I have a friend who has a twenty something son on disability who could do something but instead lays around the house all day smoking and playing video games when he isn’t abusing his mother. I’m 65 and work full time no matter how I feel. I quest I’ll just have to continue to work until I die to support people like this that game the system.
No, I am not going to help people that care to not help themselves. I worked hard and so can everyone in this country.
Aloha:
Why is the eligibility for SSDI limited up to age 64? Is there no exception for age restrictions? Appreciate your reply. Happy Holidays
I would like to know that too, what happens when I turn 65?
If you are retired you are eligible for Medicare. If you are disabled and get Medicare, nothing happens that would effect you.
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Visit http://www.Medicare for general information.
you are considered retired at age 65 0r 66 yrs of age depending on what year your born. The benefit amount doesnt change when you go from SSDI to retirement age.
At age 65 0r later you are switched to regular social security & no longer on SSDI which comes from different trust fund.
I am collecting SSDI, is it possible to collect more money off my ex-husband record. We were married for 20 years. I am now 62 years old.
Hi Jennifer, When you go on regular social security at 65 yrs old, I would ask SSA to do a benefit check to see which is the higher amount.Your deceased husbands earnings or your own.SSA is supposed to give you the higher of the 2 amounts. Hope this helps.widows benefit or your own salary.
Check with SSA and see if it would be to your advantage to file on your husband’s record. Do it now, don’t wait until you are 65 or 66.
I will be off SSDI in April since I turn 65. Presently I am working one day per week. Is there a limit on what I can earn before it will affect my SS benefits starting in April?
I guess what is the SGA (substantial gainful amount) for 2017? Thank you!
Hi Kathy, Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Please note that for individuals born after 1937 their full retirement age is older than 65. The monthly Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for 2017 is $1170 ($1950 for statutorily blind individuals). We recommend that you read our publication “Working While Disabled – How We Can Help”, to learn more about the special rules that make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits to work and still receive monthly payments. Thanks!
Why don’t we make an amount each month to support us on SSDI? There is a number for people to collect other benefits because their amount each month is to low. How much is to much to be considered to be welfare level? Or the line of poor property level ? Say like the military does it with time and service. Then everybody knows what’s going on.
What do you consider “welfare level?” Our former AFDC provided roughly $400 per month (depending on the state) for a family of two (one parent, one child). As I recall, General Assistance benefits for a single adult were under $200 per month. Americans said this was excessively generous, enabling the welfare recipients to buy designer clothes and big screen TVs.
I feel that SSA should be equally important as anyone else with a disability and trying to get on it. Maybe we need to look at the ones who are avusing the system.
No one is abusing the system. If you read any of this, you will see that qualification requirements are extremely stringent. Having a disability alone doesn’t qualify one for SSDI or SSI. It must be medically established that the disability is so severe as to make gainful employment impossible. Cases are regularly reviewed to determine if the condition has improved.
Why can’t you switch from social security disability to social security retirement at age 62 instead of 65 and also switch from my social security to my husband social security at age 62
Thank you for your question Nancy. Under current law, individuals can only apply for disability benefits before they reach their full retirement age. For individuals born after 1937 their full retirement age is older than 65. When a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for, including spouse’s benefits. Remember, if someone is eligible for both, his or her own benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay their own first. If their spousal benefits are higher than their own benefits, he or she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Also, disability payments are established at the highest rate possible, meaning that you get a higher monthly benefit amount. For specific questions, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. Thanks.
HI: How can I get Help to my Rent ….From. my SSa Or Texas Star + Plus ?Thanks.
Contact the Texas public assistance office.
I personally believe that giving the 3% increase for Social Security and SSDI was a slap in the face. My check went up $4..
It was only 2% FYI.
Yeah it’s not much and congress wants 25%?
It was only .3 %. Most checks did not go up after they deducted to the increased Medicare premium.
That was 0.3% which is less than 1/2 percent increase. You will not even get a 1% increase my friend. Take a look again. You are lucky to get anything in your check. My check doesn’t change at all. I get nothing extra next year. And I’m struggling like heck now.
I did not receive a cost of living increase of any amount or a bonus. I work and go to school full time. Cost of living increases should not be expected from any payor source.
It is going to show in 2017.$5 for retirees .Negotiated cost of living is a plus ,paid Holidays and health care also a plus .A good package will equal a wage.
HI: How can I get Help to my Rent ….From. my SSa Or Texas Star + Plus ? I have this card. STAR+Plus but. Can’t activated ? Thanks for helping me out to get a good Penafitt.
Hi Razan. Individuals may be eligible to receive assistance from the state where they live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. We hope this helps.
We didn’t get a 3 percent raise,we got a 3 tenth percent raise. My raise was $1.40 cent .look like i should be eligible for ssi, with the little money i get a month. I worked hard all my life. I’m 69 now with arthritis and still trying to fumble around and try to work. I need help what can i do, I can’t pay my bills, please what is my options.
In my opinion, become an independent contractor and sell your “life knowledge” online. Become a life coach. The cost for a license or permit are a nominal fee. If you present yourself as a trustworthy guide, the snowball will grow. Many of today’s young adults have no sense for the world. Word of mouth in the working class indicates both parents are forced to work or single parents are forced to work 2, sometimes 3 jobs with little time for parental guidance. Working parents send their children to public school to be ignored until 18 years old. Unless our financial system is reformed to support it’s own citizens FIRST, this wage slave cycle will never change. I believe change must be made in the way workers live and allow others time to adopt this change. Then will we see our economy shift to benefit all. Then will the need for financial assistance become obsolete. Keep your head up. Ike.
Hello Mr. Hammond, you can find out if you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or other benefits by visiting the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool and answer a few questions. You may also be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. We hope this information helps.
My grandson is 24 and has had epileptic seizures since birth. Though he takes 5 meds everyday SSI said he can work so they cut off his check. He is not allowed to drive due to his condition. How can we stop this insanity and have his SSI continue?
We are sorry to hear about your grandson’s situation. If he was recently denied Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for medical or non-medical reasons, and if he does not agree with our decision, he has the right to file an appeal. He may request an appeal online and provide documents electronically to support his appeal.Thanks.
I have requested an informal hearing concerning all my SSA benefits. I sent all info to sabre street, Virginia Beach, Va. office suite 100 attention claims unit. concerning the severity of my disabilities. Yes it is sever but how do you measure severity ?
Mark R.
Hi Mark. The Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, much different than the requirements for other government programs. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. To learn more about the process we use to decide if you are disabled under our rules, visit our Disability Planner: How We Decide If You Are Disabled. Thanks!
I want to know why your SSDI changes to SSA when you become 65, especially if you’re still disable. Also, don’t
You have to pay taxes on your new SSA account ?
Hi Katherine, Social Security benefits are handled through the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds. Under current law Social Security disability benefits can only be paid to individuals under full retirement age. Full retirement age had been 65 for many years. However, beginning with people born in 1938 or later, that age gradually increases until it reaches 67 for people born after 1959. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. The benefit amount will generally remain the same. Also, some people who get Social Security have to pay taxes on their benefits. You’ll be affected only if you have substantial income in addition to your Social Security benefits. For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Service. Thanks.
It amazes me that we got a .03 raise this year but every time I go to the grocery store, I wished products just went up 03. I don’t see how people can afford food anymore, and I know it will get better, HA!
Why do children born with severe disabilities, not qualify for disability until they are 18 yeas old?
Thank you for your question Dave. Disabled children younger than age 18, whose parents have little income or resources may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Disabled Adult Children who became disabled prior to age 22, may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. We call this SSDI benefit a “child’s” benefit because it’s paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. Please read our publication “Benefits For Children With Disabilities” for more information.
I am on ssdI. My biggest fear in not having that monthly check. Is that somehing that can happen?