Facts About Social Security Disability Insurance

Stefanie Loos/AFP via Getty Images

If you’re disabled and can’t work, you might need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. But if you aren’t 62, it may be difficult to qualify for benefits. Social Security uses a strict definition when it comes to approving disability. The approval is referred to as a “compassionate allowance.”

Recently, Social Security expanded its allowances. This expansion should help more people receive benefits quicker. So, how do you qualify for disability, and what are these new allowances?

Only Total Disability Paid

If you are partially disabled, you don’t qualify for SSDI. You must be totally disabled, and it must be a medically determinable impairment.

Disability is the inability to engage in “substantial gainful activity” due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. This impairment must be expected to result in death or to last for a continuous 12-month period.

Medically determinable mental or physical impairment must result from anatomical, psychological, or physiological abnormalities. Acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques can show these abnormalities.

A statement about the individual’s symptoms is not enough. Medical evidence must establish the impairment.

Need to Have Worked to Qualify

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked jobs covered by Social Security and met the strict definition of disability.

Social Security work credits are assigned and based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income.

The formula in 2023 is one credit for each $1,640 yearly income. You can only earn four credits per year. So, $6,560 generates the maximum of the credits.

Incapable of Working

An inability for “gainful activity” means that you cannot work. Your medical or mental disability prevents you from doing your previous job. You cannot adjust to other work, either.

Your condition has lasted for the last full year and is expected to last at least a year or result in death.

Social Security is strict about the disability definition. Short-term disabilities are not eligible for SSDI. This is because the assumption is that you will have resources like short-term disability insurance, worker’s compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

Traditional Disabilities That Were Covered

There are several types of impairments for adults aged 18 or older. They may also apply to the evaluation of children under 18.

Types of impairments include:

• musculoskeletal disorders
• special senses and speech
• respiratory disorders
• cardiovascular system
• digestive disorders
• endocrine disorders
• congenital disorders
• neurological disorders
• mental disorders
• cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
• immune system disorders

Although this is the main list, just because you have one of the impairments doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers all evidence from medical and non-medical sources. It investigates the extent of the person’s ability to function in a work setting.

Some non-medical sources include, but are not limited to, public and private social welfare agencies, caregivers, neighbors, employers, family members, etc.

There are other qualifications; visit the SSA website for more information.

New Disabilities Covered

In August 2023, the SSA announced 12 new compassionate allowances. Some included anaplastic ependymomo, leber congenital amaurosis, childhood pineoblastoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung (stages II–IV), etc.

Due to the severe nature of these conditions, these claims are often approved based on medical confirmation.

In the press release about the new allowances, Acting Commissioner Kijakazi said the SSA is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring that eligible people receive SSDI benefits.

Waiting Period for Social Security Disability Benefits

There is often confusion on how long you must wait to apply for and receive Social Security benefits. Often referred to as the “five-month rule,” you must wait five months once the SSA deems you disabled to receive benefits. You will receive benefits in the sixth month.

But this doesn’t mean you must be off work for five months. It means that once the SSA has determined you’re disabled, you wait five months.

You still must be out of work for 12 consequent months before you are eligible to apply for SSDI. So, in reality, you are waiting 17 months for benefits.

There is an accelerated program for the compassionate allowance. The SSA incorporates leading technology to identify compassionate allowance cases. This allows the SSA to make quick decisions. Social Security’s health IT brings the efficiency of electronic medical records and speed to the determination process.

This allows the SSA to obtain medical information, review it and make a quick decision.

Monthly Payment for Social Security Disability

The annual federal yearly SSDI payment for an individual in 2022 was $10,092.40. The payment received an 8.7 percent cost-of-living increase for 2023. This brought the annual amount in 2023 to $10,970.44. The 2023 monthly maximum payment is $914.

Many states supplement the SSDI payment. For example, Texas provides 45 monthly payments of $1,341.37, and California provides $1,374.93.

According to the SSA website, six states do not supplement SSDI payments:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Mississippi
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

If you feel you’re mistakenly not receiving the maximum amount, check your SSA work history and see if they have any gaps in your work history. Double-check that they have your correct income information.

Social Security Disability Insurance a Stop Gap

For many people, the SSDI is their primary income. Fortunately, many states supplement this income with a bigger check.

If you think you are eligible for SSDI, go to the SSA website and submit an application. Once you’re deemed eligible, it’s prudent to contact your state to receive additional benefits.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2023. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.