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Produced at U.S. taxpayer expense

Charo Boyd, SSA Public Affairs Specialist

Understanding Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Presented by:

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my Social Security – Registration

Step 1: Visit socialsecurity.gov and select

my Social Security

Step 2: Select “Create An Account”

Step 3: Verify your Identity

Step 4: Choose a Username and Password

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Social Security’s Disability Definition:

A medical condition preventing substantial

work for at least 12 months, or expected to

result in death. The determination also

considers age, education & work experience

(Definition for adults over age 18)

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Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Usually, the best gauge of a person’s ability to work is

the amount of pay received.

Currently, earnings from work activity averaging more

than $1,220 per month are considered SGA.

For the blind individual, the SGA level is $2,040.

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Types of Disability Programs

Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Benefits for adults disabled since childhood

Social Security Benefits for widow(er)s with disabilities

SSI Benefits for children/adults

Supplemental Security Income

blind, at any age; or

disabled, at any age; or

age 65 or older

Who Can Get SSI?

People with limited income

and resources who are:

Financed by General Revenue

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Supplemental Security Income

Resource limits

— $2,000 for individual — $3,000 for couple

We count

— bank accounts (CDs, IRAs), liquid assets

— second car, property other than where you live

— stocks and bonds, 401Ks

We don’t count as resources

— home in which you live

— first car

— burial plots, some resources set aside for burial

Social Security Disability Insurance

(SSDI)

To qualify, disabled person must have

a work history

Must have paid into Social Security

5 out of the last 10 years

Special rules apply to younger persons

who need fewer credits to qualify

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Earnings Requirement for SSDI

In 2019 each $1,360 in earnings gives you one credit

You can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year

Example: To earn 4 credits in 2019, you must earn at least $5,440.

Earning 40 credits (10 years of work) throughout your working life

will qualify you for a retirement benefit.

The amount of work credit and duration of work required for

disability varies depending on age.

Social Security for Adults Disabled Since

Childhood and Disabled Widow(er)s

Benefits can be paid on the record of a

disabled, retired, or deceased parent to unmarried

children of any age if the child became disabled

before the age of 22.

Benefits can be paid on the record of a deceased

worker to a widow(er) aged 50/60 who is

disabled

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Applying for Benefits

3 options available to apply:

Online at www.socialsecurity.gov

By phone 1-800-772-1213

At our office

You choose the most convenient option for you!

Note: Child and survivor claims can only be done by phone or in a field office (not online) at this time.

The Application Process

Disability Report: Describe disabling condition(s)

Provide information about medical sources

Provide information about medications

Provide background information about education & past work history

Online or Starter Kit worksheet

www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm

Medical Release Form:Authorize release of records to be used in making the disability

decision

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What Happens Next?

Social Security will forward paperwork to

Disability Determination Services (DDS)

DDS will contact treating sources to obtain

medical records

DDS may ask applicant to complete additional

forms to give specific information about how the

conditions affects daily activities

And Then What?

If there is enough information in existing records,

along with statements, a disability decision will be

made

The applicant may be asked to see a doctor to clear

up some issues before a decision can be made (Social

Security will pay for this visit)

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Sequential Evaluation for Adult Claims

Is the applicant working?

Can the applicant do past work?

Are the medical conditions on the Listing of Impairments?

www.SocialSecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

Are the medical conditions severe?

Can the applicant do other work?

A step-by-step process

If Approved

Social Security: Benefits will begin with the 6th

full month of disability after the date we find

disability began

SSI: Benefits begin month after filing for SSI

Case is reviewed periodically for both benefits

Must notify Social Security of changes, such as

return to work

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If Denied

A notice will be sent

An appeal may be filed within

60 days of the notice date

If you recently applied for Social Security or Supplemental

Security Income disability benefits and were denied for

medical reasons, you can file an appeal online and check

the status with your personal my Social Security account.

Reconsideration

1st level of appeal is Request for Reconsideration

Information will be updated since original application

Another review will be made by the Disability

Determination Service and a new decision made

Process generally takes 60-90 days

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Hearing

If reconsideration is denied:

Next level is Hearing before an

Administrative Law Judge

May take a year or longer

Appeals after the hearing are to the

Appeals Council & Federal District Court

socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) A way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical

conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of

Impairments based on minimal objective medical information

Allows Social Security to target the most obviously disabled

individuals for allowances based on objective medical

information that we can obtain quickly

Is not a separate program from the Social Security Disability

Insurance or Supplemental Security Income programs

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socialsecurity.gov/veterans

Wounded warriors and

veterans with 100%

Permanent & Total

disability ratings from

the VA may be able to

get expedited medical

decisions on SSDI and

SSI applications.

Wounded Warriors & Veterans

Explains our work incentives, which are employment-

support provisions intended to assist you in your efforts to

become self-sufficient through work

Employment supports can help you find a job or start a

business, protect your cash and medical benefits while

you work, or help you save money to go to school.

Work Incentive Programs

socialsecurity.gov/redbook

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Contacting Social Security

Visit the website

www.socialsecurity.gov

Call the toll-free number

1-800-772-1213Specific questions can be answered from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information is provided by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

If deaf or hard of hearing, call Social Security’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

Visit a local office

Most offices are open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except

Federal holidays.

www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi