How To Sign Up For Social Security Disability

If Your Spouse Is Eligible For Ssdi You Can Apply For Those Payments Even If Youre Divorced Or Widowed

Spousal and dependent SSDI benefits arent exactly disability secrets, but they arent well-publicized, either. So how, exactly, do dependent;disability benefits work? Lets start with still-married couples. Imagine your husband gets monthly SSDI, but prefers that you receive them instead. If your spouse has a progressive disability that causes gradual cognitive decline , this makes perfect sense. Can you apply to receive his monthly disability check from the SSA? Yes, provided that your spouse is at least 62 or you care for that spouses child under age 16.

Heres an example for divorced couples: Lets say your ex-spouse qualified for SSDI, but then you split up. As long as your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can still apply for your former spouses benefits. The same rule applies for divorced co-parents whose children are age 16 or younger.

Now lets talk about survivor benefits, which can transfer to a beneficiarys dependents after they pass away. If your spouse dies while getting SSDI, any of the deceaseds dependents may qualify for those benefits going forward. The SSA typically reduces survivor benefits using a calculation based on the widowed spouses and any dependent childrens ages. If you already reached full retirement age, you can likely receive your deceased spouses full payment amount. To see how much you may qualify for, scroll down to page 6 in the SSAs Survivor Benefits brochure.

Information About Family Members

• Social Security numbers and proof of age for each family member who may qualify for benefits; and
• Proof of marriage, if your spouse is applying for benefits, as well as dates of prior marriages, if applicable.

If you don’t have all the documents you need, don’t delay filing for benefits. We will help you get the information you need.

If You’re Not Sure Why You Received A Payment

Contact the authorizing agency directly to find out why they sent the payment. You may be able to find the authorizing agency in the memo line of the check. View this diagram of a sample Treasury check to help you locate the authorizing agency contact information on your own check. Scroll about half way down the page to see the diagram.;

If you’re unable to find which;agency authorized the payment, .;They;can help you determine which government agency you need to contact. To find which;RFC;you need to call, look for its city and state at the top;center of the check.;

Use the Treasury Check Verification System to verify that;the check is legitmate and issued by the;;government. ;

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If You Get Ssdi Benefits And Are In A 24

• You may be able to get Medicaid coverage while you wait. You can apply 2 ways:
• Create an account or log in to complete an application. Answer yes when asked if you have a disability. Well forward your application to your state Medicaid agency.
• Apply directly to your state Medicaid agency. Select your state from the menu on this Medicaid page for contact information.

When asked about your income on your Marketplace application, be sure to include your SSDI income.

Supplemental Security Income Application Process And Applicants’ Rights

CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI AND HOW TO APPLY

We strongly recommend you check the eligibility requirements for SSI before you start your application or contact us to make an appointment. If you are unsure you may qualify after reading these requirements, call us at 1-800-772-1213 .

You can apply for SSI benefits by:

Visiting our Apply Online for Disability Benefits website to start the disability application process online. You may be eligible to apply for SSI through the online disability application.

Having someone else call and make the appointment for you or assist you with your application for SSI. For more information, see our chapter on HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SSI; or

You will have to provide information and work with us to get documents concerning SSI eligibility.

WHEN TO APPLY

Apply as soon as possible so that you do not lose benefits. We cannot pay benefits for time periods earlier than the effective date of your application.

If you call us to make an appointment to apply and you file an application within 60 days, we may use the date of your call as your application filing date.

If you are in a public institution but you will be leaving within a few months, you may not be eligible for SSI until you leave.; You may, however, be able to apply before you leave so that SSI benefits can begin quickly after you leave.; Check with the institution and contact us about filing an application under the “prerelease procedure.”

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Possible Ways To Increase Your Ssd Benefits

The amount of your monthly Social Security benefit is based upon the lifetime annual wages or self-employment income for which you paid Social Security taxes of FICA. Make sure that you were given proper credit for the income you earned over your working life.

If one or more years of your covered income is incorrectly recorded in the government records, then your benefit may be miscalculated. This is especially true of the missing income was earned in a year when your income was higher than usual.

You can easily check your lifetime earnings record by visiting the Social Security website at Check my Social Security Income Record. With a few clicks of your keyboard, you can find a complete list of your recorded income going back to the first year you paid Social Security taxes. If you discover an error in the government record, notify your lawyer or contact the Social Security Administration immediately. If the error is verified, you may increase your monthly payment and receive a retroactive payment to make up any difference.

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Benefits For People With Disabilities

The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

pays benefits based on financial need.

When you apply for either program, we will collect medical and other information from you and make a decision about whether or not you meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Periodically, we will need updated information about your condition.; You may receive a Disability Update Report .; This form can now be completed online.

Use the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool to find out which programs may be able to pay you benefits.

If your application has recently been denied, the Internet Appeal is a starting point to request a review of our decision about your eligibility for disability benefits.

If your application is denied for:

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Approval For Disability Benefits

After you are approved for disability benefits, you wont receive SSDI benefits until you have been disabled for five complete months, because SSDi has a five-month waiting period. If you are approved right away , you would still have to wait five months for your checks to start.

However, its more likely you wouldnt be approved for about six months to a year . In that case, when you finally get approved, you would be paid disability backpay starting with the sixth month after your disability began .

After you are paid any backpay owing, you would get a disability benefit check each month. If your household income is over a certain amount, you will have to pay taxes on your disability benefits.

Your family members may also be eligible for a partial monthly benefit. For more information, see How to Get Disability Benefits for Your Dependents.

You can keep receiving SSDI as long as your medical condition prevents you from working. The SSA will perform a continuing disability review on your file every one to three years to determine if your condition has improved.

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Disability Benefits For Veterans

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you’re on disability from your service in the Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy.

You may get social assistance payments from:

• your province or territory
• your First Nation

These payments will depend on your household income, savings and investments.

You may also be eligible for health-related benefits from your province or territory. These benefits may include benefits that help cover the cost of:

• medications
• medical aids or devices

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Michigan’s State Supplement For Ssi

If you haven’t worked long enough, or recently enough, to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you could still be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income payments. SSI is a needs-based federal disability program and there are no earnings requirements. However, you do have to fall under strict asset and income limits to qualify for SSI benefits.

Those who receive SSI in Michigan may be eligible for a small additional monthly payment from the state. The amount of this benefit varies depending on the living arrangements of the disabled person. For example, under the current laws, Michigan SSI recipients who reside in a Medicaid facility would receive only $7 extra per month, but those who live independently would get an extra $14 each month, and those who live in a private home for the aged would get an extra $179.30 per month.

For couples, the amounts are included below:

The Michigan Department of Human Services administers the state supplement for those living in a private residence; the Social Security Administration administers the payment for all others.

You Must Already Have 40 Social Security Work Credits And Paid Fica Taxes For 5

Insufficient work history is another one of those disability secrets that confuses many people who receive a technical denial letter. Look at it this way: If youre disabled and cannot work, youre technically asking the SSA for early retirement withdrawals. If youve only worked four years full-time in the last decade, thats technically not enough credits to make you eligible. Or maybe you worked full-time for 22 years, but your employer didnt withhold Social Security taxes from all your paychecks.

Heres another example: Youre a federal employee whose government pension automatically disqualifies you from receiving Social Security disability insurance checks. Your monthly SSDI check also depends on how long you worked as well as your paychecks . In any given year, you can earn a maximum of four Social Security work credits with full-time employment. Plus, the amount you need to earn one work credit increases each year to keep pace with increasing average wages. In 2019, youll get one Social Security work credit for every $1,360 you earn, according to the SSA.

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Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits In Michigan

There are multiple ways to file for Social Security disability in Michigan. You can file in person at a local Social Security Administration field office. Or you can telephone the SSA at 772-1213 or apply online at www.ssa.gov .

To apply for disability benefits in Michigan, you’ll need to have a significant amount of information on hand, including details about the condition that cause you to be unable to work, medical or psychiatric treatment you’ve obtained , and your past employment and earnings.

After you file your application, it will be sent to Disability Determination Services , a state-level agency under the Michigan Department of Health Services. A claims examiner at DDS will decide whether you are disabled.

Getting Your Benefits Verification Letter Using Your My Social Security Account

You need a benefits verification letter as:

• Proof of income when you apply for assisted housing, a mortgage,a loan, or any other state/local benefits

• Proof of current Medicare or insurance coverage

• Proof of retirement or of your disability

• Proof of age

• You can also get a benefits verification letter that states that you didnt receive Social Security Disability benefits, SSI or Medicare

• Your benefits verification letter will also show that you were getting benefits in the past but you no longer get them. The letter will show when your benefits ceased as well as the amount of benefits you got for the year.

• You benefit letter can also be used as proof that you applied for your benefits but you havent been given any answer yet.

To request for your verification letter

• You need to sign in to your My Social Security account

• You Benefits verification letter will be displayed and now you can either take a printout of it, or you can download it and save it on your device.

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Pay Attention To Financial Qualifications

While the basic rule for Social Security disability is defined as a condition that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months, that should not necessarily determine when you apply for benefits.

“If an individual is not working and earning income, then they’re allowed to apply now,” Geist said. “There’s not a set period of time where they have to wait to apply.”

However, there are certain financial restrictions that claimants will have to meet to be approved.

For starters, you must have paid so-called FICA taxes into the system. Generally, you have to contribute for at least 10 years in order to be eligible.

Additionally, your condition must meet Social Security’s definition of a disability. It must be so severe that you can no longer work. It must also be expected to last for at least a year or result in death.

In addition, your income must fall below certain a certain threshold known as substantial gainful activity. In 2021, that limit is $1,310 per month for non-blind individuals.

Those who have not paid FICA taxes may instead qualify for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. However, those benefits are means tested and come with strict asset limits of $2,000 per individual, or $3,000 per married couple.

While some disabled workers may be tempted to take advantage of expanded pandemic unemployment insurance benefits that are still available in some states, that could hurt your chances of getting approved for disability benefits, Geist said.

Youre No Longer Subject To Limits On Your Earnings

When youre on disability benefits, any additional income you earn can potentially limit your disability benefit payment amounts. But those limits are lifted when your benefits are converted to Social Security retirement benefits.

That means you can increase your income through a part-time job without impacting your monthly benefit amount.;

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Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit Amounts

Social Security disability insurance benefits are usually considerably lower than private disability insurance benefits. The average amount of SSDI benefits as of February 2018 is $1,197 per month, which, for most people, can hardly replace the salary they earned before becoming disabled.

Coupled with the low threshold of income you can earn while disabled and still keep your SSDI benefits, and the possibility that your SSDI benefits will be taxable, you may find that private disability insurance benefits are better suited for your coverage needs. Long-term disability insurance is meant to replace the income you earned before becoming disabled â all of it. Benefits come in at around 60% of your previous income, but because theyâre not taxed, the amount almost entirely replaces your take-home pay.

However, SSDI doesnât cost you anything, whereas long-term disability insurance premiums can cost as much as 1%-3% of your salary. So you have to decide whether the paltry benefits of SSDI are worth the âprice.â You get what you pay for.

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What We Will Ask You

If the worker is deceased, we will also ask you:

• The worker’s date of birth and his or her name at birth ;
• The worker’s date of death and the place of death;
• The State or foreign country of the worker’s fixed permanent residence at the time of death;
• Whether the worker was unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time during the 14 months before his or her death. ;
• Whether the worker was in the active military service before 1968 or ever worked for the railroad industry. ;
• Whether the worker earned Social Security credits under another country’s Social Security system;
• Whether the worker was employed or self-employed in all years from 1978 through last year;
• How much the worker earned in the year of death and the year before death;
• Whether the worker ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income. ; and
• Whether each child was living with the worker at the time of death.

Depending on the information you provide, we may need to ask other questions.

Note

You also should have with you your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.

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