Can I Be Too Old For Disability Benefits
We’ve discussed young claimants and the barriers they might face to get SSDI and SSI benefits, but what about an older claimant? If you are less than your full retirement age, but older than 55 years of age, your chances of receiving benefits is greater than a younger worker.
But can you be too old? Yes, if you have reached your full retirement age you cannot qualify for SSDI benefits; you will simply get your SSA retirement. For SSI, however, there is no age limitation.
Workers Who Die Before Age 62
The minimum age to start claiming Social Security retirement benefits is 62. If someone dies young, then dependent children and spouses may be entitled to survivor benefits. At age 60, for example, widows and widowers can begin receiving Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouses earnings record . Terminally ill patients can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance , which means they will still receive some benefit from their contributions to the system.
What if you are terminally ill and have reached the minimum retirement age? If you are single, claiming right away may be the most sensible strategy. However, if you have a spouse, postponing may provide your spouse with greater benefits. The spousal benefit can be as much as 50% of the worker’s benefit, depending on the spouse’s age at retirement and if the spouse is eligible for retirement benefits based on their own earnings record. The Social Security Administration has an online calculator that helps determine benefits for spouses.
If you do not qualify for Social Security payments, then you will need to ensure that you have sufficient income to support your lifestyle in retirement.
Disability Is Unpredictable And Can Happen To Anyone At Any Age
Disability is something many Americans, especially younger people, think can only affect the lives of other people. Tragically, thousands of young people are seriously injured or killed, often as the result of traumatic events. Many serious medical conditions, such as cancer or mental illness, can affect the young as well as the elderly. The sobering fact for 20-year-olds is that more than 1-in-4 of them becomes disabled before reaching retirement age. As a result, they may need to rely on the Social Security disability benefits for income support. Our disability benefits provide a critical source of financial support to people when they need it most.
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How Much Work Do You Need
In addition to meeting our definition of disability, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.
Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.
The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2021, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,470 in wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $5,880, you’ve earned your four credits for the year.
The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
For more information on whether you qualify, refer to How You Earn Credits.
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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Is Your Condition Severe
Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering for at least 12 months. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled.
If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3.
Do I Qualify For The Exception To This Rule Can I Draw Both Ssdi And Retirement
There is one exception that allows qualified individuals to draw both retirement and SSDI benefits at the same time, but this is rare and still does not allow them to collect more than their full retirement benefit.
This occurs when someone opts for early retirement between age 62 and their full retirement age, but is then approved for SSDI benefits. Some people set themselves up for this by filing for early retirement after an injury or illness caused them to have to quit work. They can begin receiving early retirement to help them cover bills until their SSDI claim receives approval and the waiting period for those benefits expires.
Once this happens, they can begin receiving additional money from the SSA each month on top of their early retirement benefits. This will bring them to their full retirement benefit amount. They are also most likely qualified for retroactive benefits, which will bring them to their full retirement amount for any month they suffered a disability but were not yet approved for SSDI.
This can backfire on some people, however. If you apply for early retirement but do not receive approval for your SSDI claim, you may be stuck drawing a smaller amount of retirement for the rest of your life. If this happened to you, we may be able to help you in appealing;the SSDI denial. You only have 60 days to file this appeal, however, so contact us as soon as possible after you receive a denial.
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Information Needed To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits
Processing claims for disability benefits can take anywhere from 3-5 months. Gathering required information prior to filing a claim may expedite the process. You will need the following information to apply online:
- Social Security number
- Basic spousal information
- Basic information for any children under the age of 18 or those who became disabled before the age of 22
- Military service, education or training
- If you are self-employed, business type and total net income
- If you are not self-employed, name of employer, start and end dates of employment, total earnings for the past two years
- Direct deposit information
- Medical information including conditions, doctors, hospitals, clinics at which youve received examinations, tests, treatments, etc.
- Names, dosages and information of all medications
- Employment history for the 15 years prior to becoming disabled
To apply over the phone or in person, you will need the majority of the above as well as:
- Medical records already in your possession
- Medical and Job Worksheet Adult, which can be found here.
Medical Social Security Disability Assessment
The DDS is responsible for gathering and verifying medical information as it applies to a disability claim. This may include obtaining medical records, speaking with previous physicians, reviewing prescription history and overseeing the in-person medical assessment process. It is important to complete all steps of the assessment process as requested by SSA to avoid delays in disability determination.;
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Benefits For A Disabled Child
A child under age 18 may be disabled, but we don’t need to consider the child’s disability when deciding if he or she qualifies for benefits as a dependent. The child’s benefits normally stop at age 18 unless he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or high school or is disabled.
Children who were receiving benefits as a minor child on a parents Social Security record may be eligible to continue receiving benefits on that parents record upon reaching age 18 if they are disabled.
Information You Need To Apply
Before applying, be ready to provide information about yourself, your medical condition, and your work. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
Information About You
- Your date and place of birth and Social Security number.
- The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death .
- Names and dates of birth of children not yet 18 years of age.
- Your bank or other and the account number.
Information About Your Medical Condition
- Name, address, and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application.
- Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries, or conditions:
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
- Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them.
- Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who ordered them.
Information About Your Work:
- Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements, or other .
We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns, or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate.
Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them.
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Social Security Disability Is Already A Form Of Early Retirement Benefits
Updated By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney
You can’t receive Social Security retirement benefits and disability benefits at the same time . The Social Security disability program exists to provide disability benefits to those who are unable to work as a result of their conditions and who are too young to draw their retirement benefits. In this sense, Social Security disability insurance can be thought of as a retirement benefit for those who are forced to retire early. If you do collect SSDI disability benefits, they will be converted to retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age.
What Is A Disability
The first thing you need to consider when determining whether or not you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is whether or not you are disabled by the Social Security Administration’s standards.
You need to understand that just because you are unable to continue working in your current occupation due to your condition, the Social Security Administration might not determine that you are disabled by their standards.
In order to be considered disabled, you must be suffering from a long-term or permanent disability that completely prevents you from performing any type of work activity whatsoever.
For example, suppose that you have been working as an administrative assistant for the past fifteen years. Your job may have required you to move around the office quite a bit. Now, due to a disabling condition, you are no longer able to perform the duties required of your work activity.
While you may be disabled in your eyes, the Social Security Administration may not see it that way. They may determine that you could successfully perform another type of work, such as that of a receptionist.
If it is possible that you can perform other types of work in the national economy, you will likely not qualify for SSDI benefits.
The Social Security Administration has published a Blue Book of medical listings that qualify individuals for SSDI benefits.
However, proving that you are disabled is not the only factor when determining your eligibility for SSDI benefits.
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What Information Do I Need To Apply For Disability Benefits
When applying for Social Security you will need lots of information. Some of the basic requirements include:
- Date of Birth & Place of Birth
- Birth Certificate
- Financial Info
- Contact Info For Relevant Healthcare Professionals
- Relevant Medical Records
- Work Summary
- Information About Work History
- Your W-2 Form or Copy of Federal Tax Return
In addition to this list above, you will need to provide more information that is specific to your circumstances. Missing information is one of the most common reasons that claims are denied.
Medicare Coverage If You’re Disabled
We automatically enroll you in Original Medicare after you get disability benefits for two years. However, if your disability results from ALS, Medicare coverage begins sooner, generally the first month you are eligible for disability benefits.
- Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed this coverage. Its provided at no cost to you.
- Medicare Part B helps pay doctors’ services, outpatient care, some medical supplies, and other preventive services. You will need to pay a monthly premium for this coverage if you want it.
Most people have both parts of Medicare. If you have questions about this coverage, you can contact Medicare toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE to speak to a Medicare Customer Service Representative. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
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What Is The First Step In The Social Security Disability Assessment Process
The first step in applying for Social Security benefits is the completion of an application. This is also called a disability claim. This may be completed in person, by phone, via mail or online. Sometimes, an interview with the applicant and their parent or guardian, if applicable, is requested. Each state has Social Security Administration offices and Disability Determination Services , both funded by the federal government, which collaborate in determining the outcome of a disability benefits application.;
Social Security And Short
Can you receive short-term disability benefits through Social Security?
This is a common question caused by a common problem.
You may have suffered an accident or illness that prevents you from working and earning an income. You have bills to pay, but no money coming in.
Your employer may not provide paid leave or short-term disability. Perhaps, you did not buy a private policy in advance.
It is a hard lesson to learn. Few alternatives exist;to replace lost wages.
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Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems
There are two impairments that fall into this category: Non-mosaic Downs Syndrome and all other conditions that affect multiple body systems. Non-mosaic Down Syndrome is Down Syndrome in which all of the bodys cells are affected and can cause impairments in vision, hearing, the heart, and more.
Other conditions that affect multiple body systems are congenital disorders that cause deviation or interruption to the normal function or development of the body. Other recognized condition that affect multiple body systems include Caudal Regression syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
When Will I Receive My First Ssdi Payment
If the Social Security Disability application is approved, the first benefit will be paid to you for the sixth full month after the date that the disability began.
Monthly disability benefits are wholly based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. You can receive an estimate here.
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How Long Does The Social Security Disability Process Take
The social security disability process is lengthy one.; While each case is different, you can expect;the initial application stage to;take 3-5 months before you get a decision.; If your application is denied, you can request a hearing to be heard in front of an administration law judge.; This is referred to as the hearing level.; It can take an additional 9-20 months to get the hearing, depending on where you live.
While the disability process can;be a lengthy one and you may not get;social security disability benefits;the first time you go through the process, it is important for you to be as patient and persistent as possible.; Dont give up!
Social Security Retirement Benefits Vs Disability Benefits
To be insured for Social Security Retirement Insurance benefits, a worker must be âfully insured.â He or she becomes fully insured by having 40 earned quarters â typically four per year for 10 years of work. There is no requirement that these credits have been earned during any particular time period. On the other hand, in order to claim Social Security Disability Income benefits a worker must be âinsured for disabilityâ â which is a different and more complicated standard. First, the worker must have accumulated a certain number of credits that vary with the workerâs age. Second, depending on the age of the worker at the time of disability, credits must be acquired during a certain time period.
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Extended Period Of Eligibility
Following your trial work period, you will enter a 36-month extended period of eligibility. It is in this period that you can work and still receive benefits only as long as your earnings are less than what Social Security considers substantial. Social Security deducts what they consider work expenses that are a direct result of your disability from your total monthly earnings. These work expenses can range from prescription drug copays, transportation to and from work, and specialized work equipment.