Chronic Back Pain Condition
Arthritis of the spine is caused by the gradual degeneration of cartilage in the spine. Spondylolisy is a condition caused by narrowing of the spinal canal that can result in nerve pain. Wil herniations and bulging discs can occur as a result of a disc problem. Myofascial pain syndrome is a type of muscle pain that has no clear cause.
When pain persists for more than three months, it is considered chronic. Back pain can affect the entire lower spine, from the neck to the shoulder. Pain relief, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is typically the only option. When other options do not work, surgery may be effective in some cases.
You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Still have questions about filing your disability appeal? Those who qualify for legal assistance through our website typically get $12,000 in lump-sum backpay as well as monthly benefits. Click the button below to sign up for a free, no-obligation phone call with a nearby Social Security attorney today. Its the best way to get the claim help you need for free over the phone!
Example : What You Can Own Under Social Security Disability
As another example, Don also hasnt worked for several years and he doesnt have enough work credits to file for SSDI. Don cant work because he has several medical conditions. However, Don is married and his wife works. Unfortunately, his wifes income prevents Don from filing for SSI benefits.
What doesnt count towards the SSI asset limits?
- Your home and property
- Your car you can have one car excluded from the asset limits if you need it for transportation
- Support payments such as state or local relocation programs, crime victims assistance, earned income tax credit payments, grants or scholarships for school and child tax credit payments
- Special accounts such as ABLE accounts, PASS savings and IDA savings
- Burial savings up to $1,500 in value plus burial plots for your immediate family
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What Is The Cost Of Living Adjustment
Since 1975, Social Security benefits have been adjusted automatically each year, based on fluctuations in inflation, as determined by the Consumer Price Index For Urban Wage Earners And Clerical Workers. The Social Security Administration compares the average CPI-W in the three months of the third quarter in the current year, to the same timeframe in the year prior.”The COLA increase is a valuable feature that keeps retirees from truly being tied to a ‘fixed income’ when managing expenses,” Rob Williams, managing director of financial planning at Charles Schwab, told CNET.
Is The Social Security Definition Of Disability Out Of Date
The Social Security Advisory Board has asked whether the Social Security definition of disability should be changed in some fundamental way. The Academys Disability Policy Panel studied this question at length and reached the following conclusions:
Programs for people with disabilities should use definitions of disability as eligibility criteria that match the purpose of the program. A single, one-size-fits-all definition would not suit the varied needs of the highly diverse population of people with disabilities, nor would it match the particular purposes of different programs.
If the purpose of the program is to establish civil rights protections, a broad definition of disability, such as in the ADA is used: Disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.
If the purpose is to define eligibility for vocational rehabilitation, then the legal definition of eligibility is based on need for and likelihood of benefiting from such services.
Programs that provide personal assistance or long-term care services generally define eligibility in terms of the need for those particular services, such as need for assistance with activities of daily living.
The Social Security test of work disability is very strict. A less strict test of inability to work would benefit people with partial disabilities and it would cost more.
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How Common Is It For Beneficiaries To Return To Work
Both Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security provide incentives for beneficiaries to work. Disability Insurance beneficiaries are encouraged to work up to their full capacity and can earn an unlimited amount for up to 12 months without losing any benefits. Beneficiaries who work for more than 12 months and have earnings above the substantial gainful activity level cease to receive a monthly benefit. If at any point in the next five years their condition worsens and they are not able to continue working above the substantial gainful activity level, however, they are eligible for expedited reinstatement of their benefits. This means they do not need to repeat the entire, and typically lengthy, disability-determination process that they initially went through to qualify for benefits.
Supplemental Security beneficiaries who are able to work are encouraged to do so as well. Their benefits are reduced based on their earningsafter the first $85 of earnings each month, which is not counted against the benefitbut by only $1 for every $2 of earnings. Beneficiaries who are able to do some work will therefore always be better off with both earnings and a reduced benefit than just the benefit alone.
Can You Receive Disability Benefits For Chronic Back Pain
According to the Social Security Administration, chronic back pain is one of the most common reasons that people seek disability benefits. If you suffer from chronic back pain, you may be wondering if you can receive disability benefits. The Social Security Administration recognizes that chronic back pain can be a disabling condition. In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must be able to show that your chronic back pain has prevented you from working for at least a year. There are a few different ways to show that your chronic back pain has prevented you from working. The most common way is to provide medical evidence from your treating physician. This medical evidence should show that you have a severe chronic back pain condition that has lasted for at least a year. Another way to show that your chronic back pain has prevented you from working is to show that you have tried a variety of different treatment options, but have not been able to find relief. For example, you may have tried physical therapy, medications, and injections, but have not found relief from your chronic back pain. If you are unable to work because of your chronic back pain, you may be eligible for disability benefits. If you think you may qualify for disability benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration to learn more about the application process.
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Who Can Get Child Benefits
For a child to qualify for child benefits from Social Security, he/she must meet certain requirements. First, child benefits are payable to children who are dependent and unmarried. They must be younger than 18 years, or 19 if they are high school students, to qualify for benefits. If a child is 18 or older and is disabled, they may qualify for benefits if the disability started before they turned 22.
For purposes of eligibility for child benefits, a relationship requirement and dependency requirement must be met. To meet the relationship requirement, the child must be a biological child, legally adopted child, stepchild, grandchild, or step-grandchild. To meet the dependency requirement, the child must be dependent on the beneficiary for support at some point in time. Sometimes, the child may be deemed to be dependent on the beneficiary, but there are times when dependency must be proved.
Health Care Coverage For Disability Beneficiaries
Individuals who are receiving Social Security disability insurance become eligible for Medicare after receiving DI for two years. Low-income individuals who receive SSI are generally eligible for Medicaid immediately. Health coverage is critically important for those receiving disability benefits, because individual insurance policies are likely to be unaffordable or unavailable to them. According to the Academy report, Balancing Security and Opportunity: The Challenge of Income Disability Policy, Many people with chronic health conditions or disabilities are at risk of very high health care costs. They often cannot gain coverage in the private insurance market, and even when they do have private coverage, it often does not cover the range of services and long-term supports that they need. Current gaps in health care coverage for people with disabilities limit their labor market options in several ways.
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How Are Disability Insurance And Supplemental Security Benefits Funded
Disability Insurance is funded by payroll tax contributions from workers and their employers. Workers currently pay a tax of 0.9 percent of their wages up to $113,700, and their employers pay an equal amount. These tax contributions go into the Disability Insurance trust fund. Funding for Supplemental Security comes from the federal income tax and other federal revenues.
The Social Security Administration administers both of these programs. State agencies, usually called disability determination services, make the initial determination of whether applicants meet the disability standard. These state agencies are federally funded and follow federal guidelines.
What Can You Own On Social Security Disability
If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you may want to know what to spend the money on. Find out what you can own on Social Security disability.
If you have an illness, injury, or other disabling condition that limits your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration . These benefits provide the income needed to meet everyday expenses and make special purchases.
Social Security benefits should be first spent on the beneficiaryâs current needs like food, clothing, utility bills, rent, medical costs, and other everyday expenses. You can also use the funds for the beneficiaryâs personal comfort and recreational purposes. If there is money left, you can make special purchases that are for the benefit of the beneficiary such as home down payment, car payments, furniture, and home improvements like ramp installation.
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Is Social Security Disability Income Taxable
OVERVIEW
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, you must meet certain conditions. Well help you navigate your eligibility and tax responsibility for Social Security disability income.
In the U.S., if you work long enough, pay your taxes, and meet certain income thresholds during your career, you can participate in Social Security programs. Over time, you pay into this system and can expect to receive several benefits for you and your family.
If you work but later become disabled and have limited resources and means to earn income, the Social Security Disability Insurance program can assist. The program pays benefits to you and your children. But because your taxes fund this program, you may wonder is Social Security disability income taxable? Let’s find out.
Earn Ssa Work Credits In Some Countries
You may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your work credits from another country. The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits.
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Qualifying For Disability Benefits
The SSA has strict rules for determining whether someone is eligible for Social Security Disability income.
The first rule involves your work history. To qualify, you must have worked in a job where you paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn 40 Social Security work credits. Generally, people earn 4 credits a year. Credits are based on the amount of money you earn. At least 20 of your work credits must have been earned in the past ten years.
Some people who dont have sufficient work history can still receive Social Security Income , versus disability income.
The second rule involves your disability. To qualify for benefits, you must provide proof of a medically determined mental health condition that prevents you from doing work that brings you substantial gain. That condition must be expected to last at least 12 months.
To determine whether schizophrenia is preventing you from working, the SSA considers five questions:
What Assets Count Toward The Ssi Asset Limit
How does the SSA define assets? The SSA actually calls assets “resources,” which are money or something you own that you could turn into cash. The following items will count as resources for the SSI program:
Learn more about how the SSA can monitor the money you have in a checking or savings account.
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Tips For Getting Retirement Ready
- A financial advisor could help you prepare for retirement. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Relying on Social Security alone may not be the best option when it comes to saving for retirement. As you approach early retirement age, its best to save as much as you can along the way. Our retirement calculator can help you determine how much money you need to retire comfortably.
What Is Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income is a federal program that pays monthly benefits to low-income aged, blind and disabled individuals. The Social Security Administration runs the program, which is financed from general tax revenues, not from Social Security taxes. The SSI test of disability for adult applicants is the same as the test in the Social Security disability insurance program. Only people who have low incomes and limited financial assets are eligible for SSI. The federal SSI payment in 2017 for an individual with no other countable income is $735 a month. Payments are reduced as other income rises, and some states supplement the federal payment. Each month on average in 2016, 8.3 million low-income adults received SSI. These beneficiaries included 4.8 million adults under age 65 who were eligible based on disability or blindness and 2.2 million adults aged 65 and older. In addition, 1.3 million children under age 18 receive SSI based on disability or blindness.
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Can A Family Member Or Special Needs Trust Pay Bills Other Than For Food Or Shelter
BASICALLY YES. âPayment of your bills by someone else directly to the supplier is not income.â This is perhaps the most important of the âsafe harborâ expenditure provisions in the federal regulations because this provision explicitly permits all payments made to vendors, if for goods and services other than for food or shelter. This SSA regulation then provides some helpful examples to illustrate this important distribution rule: âExamples: If your daughter uses her own money to pay the grocer to provide you with food, the payment itself is not your income because you did not receive it. However, because of your daughterâs payment, the grocer provides you with food the food is in-kind income to you. On the other hand if your brother pays a lawn service to mow your grass, the payment is not income to you because the mowing cannot be used to meet your needs for food or shelter. Therefore, it is not in-kind incomeâ¦.â
The Facts On Social Security Disability Insurance And Supplemental Security Income For Workers With Disabilities
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income provide critical lifelines for the roughly 12 million people with disabilities in the United States.
Nearly one out of every six working-age Americans29.5 million peoplehas a disability, making them much more likely to experience economic hardship than people without disabilities. Many people with disabilities are able to work, although they face greater challenges finding work than people without disabilities. But many individuals with severe and long-lasting disabilities have no or only limited capacity to work and are particularly vulnerable to economic hardship.
For roughly 12 million people with disabilities, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, both core components of our nations Social Security system, provide critical lifelines. The modest but vital assistance that Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security provide makes it possible for individuals with severe disabilities and health conditions to live independently, keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, and pay for needed, often life-sustaining medications and other basic expenses.
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What Is A Social Security Card
Your Social Security card is an important piece of identification. You’ll need one to get a job, collect Social Security, or receive other government benefits.
When you apply for a Social Security number , the Social Security Administration will assign you a nine-digit number. This is the same number that is printed on the Social Security card that SSA will issue you. If you change your name, you will need to get a corrected card.
Social Security Disability Benefits
Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance are disability income benefits administered by the Social Security Administration that also provide Medicaid and/or Medicare health insurance to individuals who are eligible. The application process for SSI/SSDI is complicated and difficult to navigate. Nationally, about 37 percent of individuals who apply for these benefits are approved on initial application and appeals take an average of two years to complete.
For people who are homeless or who are returning to the community from institutions , access to these programs can be extremely challenging. Approval on initial application for people who are homeless and who have no one to assist them is about 10-15 percent. For those who have a mental illness, substance use issues, or co-occurring disorders that impair cognition, the application process is even more difficult yet accessing these benefits is often a critical first step in recovery.
Critical components of SOAR include:
- Serving as the applicants representative
- Collecting medical records
- Writing a medical Summary Report
- Conducting quality review
- Please contact a regional coordinator below to find your nearest SOAR Specialist:
| Ashley Blum |
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