How Do Disability Benefits Work?

Disability benefits are funded through the Social Security Administration (SSA) for those who are unable to work because of a disabling condition. To qualify for Social Security disability, you must meet specific medical criteria. 

You must provide hard medical evidence and supporting documentation to back up your claim and to confirm the severity of your condition and to back up your inability to work. A disability attorney can help you maneuver the claims process.

How Does Social Security Disability Work?

Here is a rundown of how Social Security disability benefits work and the process of getting benefits. You need to make sure you have completed the claim form in detail and that you have all the supporting documentation to back up your claim. Here is how Social Security Disability benefits work:

• Workers pay taxes into the Social Security Administration (SSA) – these are taxes paid out of your earnings
• Those taxes that are paid in are used to fund retirement and disability programs – these are labeled as Social Security taxes
• Disabled workers who are not longer able to work can apply for assistance – you must provide hard medical evidence with supporting documentation
• Once approved for disability benefits, you receive monthly benefits – just so long as you continue to qualify and meet the specified criteria
• SSA does periodic reviews to make sure you still qualify for disability benefits
• Programs are in place to help you get back to work if - and when - you are able 
• Once you have reached retirement age, SSDI will switch over to the retirement benefits program – you will not have to do anything, it will automatically convert from disability to retirement benefits

Social Security defines the disability program very strictly. You must be unable to work for at least a year. According to the SSA, Social Security disability beneficiaries are among those individuals who are most severely impaired.

They are actually three time more likely to die in a year than other people of the same age. For a claim to be approved, you must provide hard medical evidence that confirms the severity of your condition as well as your limitations and restrictions.

You should consult with your treating physician to make sure you meet the criteria of the disability listing and would qualify for disability benefits.

Get Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim

If you are unable to work and earn a living because of medical issues, you will want to get your Social Security Disability claim. To help you get your claim on the right track, enlist the help of a disability attorney.

The SSA statistics indicate that claimants who have legal representation are more likely to have successful claims and be awarded disability benefits.

Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your disability claim. A disability lawyer will help you determine how to proceed with your claim and help you receive monthly benefits to help with your cost of living and medical care.

Additional Resources

• Find Out What Conditions Automatically Qualify for Disability
• How The SSA Evaluates Pain In Disability Cases
• What Medical Conditions Automatically Qualify For Disability