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Disability benefits can keep you afloat when an impairment prevents you from working to support yourself and your family. The average wait for a decision on eligibility is between three and four months, but some applicants wait significantly longer. Getting by in the mean time often means seeking out extra benefits or forms of support.
There are a number of public assistance programs for which you may qualify during your wait for a disability decision. And with some of these programs, you may continue to receive extra help, even once you begin getting disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
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State Temporary Disability
Some states offer temporary disability benefits that help carry you through until you receive a decision on SSDI and/or SSI. Start by contacting the local or state office of social services. Every state has one. In some places, this agency is called the Department of Family and Social Services.
In other locations, it may be the Department of Health and Welfare, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Department of Family and Social Services. No matter the name though, most states provide local offices in each county or township.
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Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
You may qualify for SNAP or food stamps while waiting for disability approval. SNAP benefits often remain in affect even after you begin getting monthly disability payments too. A social worker at your local or state department of social services can assist you in applying. Many states also offer online application for SNAP.
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF is another state-administered assistance program that offers a monthly cash benefit to families that meet financial-need eligibility rules. TANF application may be offered online in your home state, or you can get help with applying from your local social services office.
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Other Assistance Programs
Based on your family make-up, financial situation, and other factors, you may qualify for other types of assistance. For example, families with extreme financial-need often meet the guidelines for emergency rent or utility payment assistance. These kinds of programs are usually administered at the city, township, or county level, but the staff at your local social services office can point you in the right direction.
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Insurance Coverage and Discounted Medical Care
You may qualify for Medicaid or state health insurance, since these programs have financial-need measurements for eligibility. Many clinics offer services on a sliding scale for patients who meet income thresholds and for those without insurance too. Your regular doctor’s office may have a “need-based” sliding scale as well, so be sure to talk to the staff there about your disability application and your financial concerns. Your doctor can also help you find discount prescriptions and may provide you samples to help cut your costs.
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A Word on Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment and disability benefits don’t mix. This is because a disability application is based on the idea that your impairment stops you from working, while unemployment benefits are only available if you are activity seeking a new job. In other words, you cannot get approved for disability if you are on unemployment and vice versa.
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Getting Help with Your Social Security Disability Claim
A disability advocate or attorney that understands the eligibility rules and review processes can potentially increase your chances of approval. If your application stalls out during the review stage, a call from an advocate or attorney can usually get things moving again too. Not to mention the assistance an advocate or disability lawyer can provide if you’re initially denied benefits. He or she can help gather evidence, file an appeal, and represent you before the administrative law judge that reviews your claim.
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Blog comments
In reply to Amen! To the brother that by Pjpal (not verified)
hi! what is your lawyer name
hi! what is your lawyer name and number ? I'm trying to help my father.
In reply to This is the worst part of by Ann (not verified)
My problem is I received SSD
My problem is I received SSD the amount they give me I can't even get a place to live my wicked husband put me out I'm homeless going from pillow to post 953 dollar's you can't live nowhere i try to take my life once depression copd living with machines I can't even have due to my situation I just need a place and not those nasty shelters I'm going to keep on praying but I don't think God is listening to me help help
In reply to My problem is I received SSD by Annie Brown (not verified)
Hi Annie,
Hi Annie,
I am so sorry to hear that. You might want to talk with someone at your local housing commission or an organization like Habitat for Humanity. Wishing you nothing but the best.
My boyfriend fell from a 40
My boyfriend fell from a 40 roof about 8 years ago. After two neck surgeries with metal holding his spine together, ankle and hip surgery, and a long recovery, he decided to try to work again. Now years later, his doctor is telling him if he keeps going at this rate, he will not live 10 more years. So he is on a medical leave of absence from work and his doctor won't release him, and has no income, will not have insurance in a couple of months, while waiting on Disability to make a decision. What are people supposed to do while they wait? Not go to doctor, and starve? It just appalls me to no end. He hasn't been denied yet, but they are saying it could be 2 months before he hears from the SSI. I just don't understand this. Anyone with any insight will be greatly appreciated!
In reply to My boyfriend fell from a 40 by Joye (not verified)
Hi Joye,
Hi Joye,
Your boyfriend may qualify for Medicaid based on his income, it may be a good idea to contact your state's Medicaid office.
My cousin, who just received
My cousin, who just received an amputation, was on social security, after turning 65. It is a minimal amount of about 800.00 a month, which she barely lives on. NOW, however, her circumstance has changed & she is rendered DISABLED. Should she apply for SSDI or even SSI & will it be more than she currently gets ? She is frightened & doesnt know where to turn from this point. She lives alone w/ no family near by. I am in FL & she is in NY. How can I get help & info for her ?
In reply to My cousin, who just received by Palma Carrieri (not verified)
Hi Palma,
Hi Palma,
Your cousin may be eligible for SSI depending on her income. However, many application are denied initially.
It may be a good idea to have her speak with a disability advocate or attorney, as they can help her through the process of appeals. If you fill out the form here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation
We can have one reach out to you.
In reply to My cousin, who just received by Palma Carrieri (not verified)
The thing is that if she is
The thing is that if she is already receiving Social Security benefits she can't apply for Disability or S.S.I. anyway. Her amount for Disability would not be more anyway. If a person is on S.S.D or S.S.I. or combination of the two. When they turn 65 it rolls over to regular Social Security benefits. My total with Disability and S.S.I combined is $753 (age 57).
In reply to The thing is that if she is by Philip (not verified)
Hi Phillip,
Hi Phillip,
Thanks for sharing!
It's true, you may qualify for SSDI and SSI, however you may only be eligible for SSI if you SSDI benefit is under the federal benefit limit for SSI benefits.
I've been unable to work
I've been unable to work since August 2015 after motorcycle accident that fractured left scalpula, right pelvis, right hip, broke 8 ribs, collaspsed lung , COPD, C2-3, C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7, bulging and herniated discs, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ac joint separation, fracture T-3, I have had medio blocs, Rf Ablatment, eperderals, persistant headaches, depression, anxiety, bulging and facet hypertrophy L3-4 ,L4-5, stenosis in all discs that now require pain management now, I have a Lawyer and I wastold that it couldbeup to another 12 to 18 months before my hearing , I have been denied twice and can't understand such a long wait. Loss of memory , unsteady , breathing problems , headaches persist. I'm 58 confused that after 40 years of work that I will be bankrupted before any hearing.... Depressed to the max
In reply to I've been unable to work by Joel Tholund (not verified)
Hi Joel,
Hi Joel,
I'm sorry to hear about that! Unfortunately, hearings generally take 17 months on average. Also, it may be a good idea to contact your representation and the SSA regarding the fact that you will be bankrupt, as you may be eligible for assistance during this time.
I'm new to all of this
I'm new to all of this but I get $1228 from ssd will I be able to get food stamps and more cash aid from welfare. And where do I go to get help with housing because I am homeless
In reply to I'm new to all of this by Renee (not verified)
Hi Renee,
Hi Renee,
I really could not say as medicaid is income dependent and also it is administered by the states, so your eligibility can vary depending on where you are. You may want to contact your local SSA office regarding this, you can find a listing of them here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
I have my disability I only
I have my disability I only get 1000.permonth and have moved to California and its really high here want to know if I write to disability would I get an increase also I Hurd that there is a one time check of 2500. From the government don't know who to call
In reply to I have my disability I only by Dora (not verified)
HI Dora,
HI Dora,
If you have any questions about your benefits, you can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
I have been diagnosed with
I have been diagnosed with menieres disease since 2013. I have my good days and bad but as of lately more bad. As a result of the vertigo, pressure and ringing in my ear, I was in a car accident. I broke all the bones in my right and now have a permanent limp. I applied for SSI/SSDI and was denied. Their reasoning is that I can still work in Customer Service(yea right, try it with your ears feeling as if you have a butterfly fluttering against your ear drum). Anyway, I have an attorney and the wait is absolutely painful, I am slowly losing everything. Do anyone have any suggestions to speed along this process. I need to have the screws removed from my foot and another surgery and I can't afford to buy my medicine for the meneires. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
In reply to I have been diagnosed with by Renita Davis (not verified)
HI there,
HI there,
YOu may want to speak with your attorney about contact a state representative as that can speed the process along on some occasions.
I receive add in ny but it
I receive add in ny but it isn't enough money. I was working part time and my parkinsons got worse. I had to stop working and put in for short term disability. Last year I was able to collect short term disability but when I signed up for it this time they turned me down. Am I entitled to collect both
In reply to I receive add in ny but it by Bonnie (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You may be able to. You can take our Free Disability Evaluation to find out:https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/list-of-social-security-disabi…
I was hit by metal wedges
I was hit by metal wedges with took out both my legs an has left me in constant pain in my legs an ankles caking an very sharp pains they offered me diabilaty when I was. In the hospital. I turned it down cause I had it in my head I was going back to work I've been working since I was 16 I'm now 55 it got to were I couldn't do my job because of the aching an the pains i filed for disabilaty I hired a lawyer also an I'm starving an done sold everything I own trying to make it till they decide if I'm eligible for benefits they offered it to me in the hospital I don't understand what is taking so long i don't know what to do I'm running out of opshens on how I'm going to make till they desire
In reply to I was hit by metal wedges by Darren bentley (not verified)
I'm sorry to hear that Darren
I'm sorry to hear that Darren! You're doing everything you can by speaking with an attorney. Best of luck to you.
I'm a 48yr old woman. I&
I'm a 48yr old woman. I've been on disability since 2000ish. I have numerous issues that put me on it. I've undergone 26 surgeries to this day with more to come. Now...I need to get someone to come to our home and clean. I just can't do it anymore. I have all I can do just making dinner and doing dishes. My husband works 70-80hrs a week and does all laundry and most shopping. He also takes care of the house on the outside. I found through a website a bunch of housekeepers by us from $8-$10/hr. I need to get money to cover this. Would my disability help cover this payment? If so, how? Who do I contact?
In reply to I'm a 48yr old woman. I& by Kimberly Emmons (not verified)
Hi Kimberly,
Hi Kimberly,
You may be able to purchase those services with your benefits, but you may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can call them at 1-800-772-1213.
I've been on disability
I've been on disability sense 2005. I only receive $1590 a month after medi-care is taken out. Just not enough to make house payment, prescriptions, groceries or any of normal household bills. I need help
In reply to I've been on disability by Joe Ludeman (not verified)
Hi Joe,
Hi Joe,
I'm sorry to hear about that! You may want to contact the office in your state that handles social services for more assistance.
I submitted a request for a
I submitted a request for a ssi lawyer's assistance to help get my daughter, who is bipolar over 9 months ago. I received a confirmation email from them a day or 2 later but have not heard from them since. They do not allow replies to the email address they responded from. What do I do know?
In reply to I submitted a request for a by Miriam Ray (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Sorry to hear that, they could be backed up. You could try to call them?
I am a single mother not even
I am a single mother not even getting child support. I'm epileptic and diabetic . Not allowed to drive and I only receive $660 a month. I cannot survive off of that amount of money monthly
In reply to I am a single mother not even by Jessica Moretti (not verified)
Hi Jessica,
Hi Jessica,
If you are receiving SSDI, your child/children may qualify for auxiliary. Auxiliary benefits can then be used to help pay for the children's expenses.
I recently had a Thalamic
I recently had a Thalamic stroke leaving my left side numb and I'm very out of balance . This happened about 3 months ago with no improvement thus far .
I just finished with a physical therapist for about 6 weeks , her prognosis is I'm now 95% healed pfffft .
My primary physician is actually a nurse , she has sent me in for cat's and an mri , thus the Thalamic stroke diagnosis .
I'm expecting to hear from the social security dept soon for the 1st time regarding weather or not I'm approved . Just curious how great my chances may be based upon what I've briefly explained here . Thank you .
In reply to I recently had a Thalamic by frank (not verified)
Hi Frank,
Hi Frank,
Sorry you had to go through that! Every case is different, and because we aren't affiliated with the SSA it's hard for use to say.
That said, it's important to keep in mind that the majority of claims are denied initially. If that happens to you, you are able to appeal in a timely fashion!
In reply to I recently had a Thalamic by frank (not verified)
Hi Frank,
Hi Frank,
Sorry you had to go through that! Every case is different, and because we aren't affiliated with the SSA it's hard for use to say.
That said, it's important to keep in mind that the majority of claims are denied initially. If that happens to you, you are able to appeal in a timely fashion!
I'm losing everything I
I'm losing everything I have...I'm disabled with chronic back pain...an still waiting for a decision in my disability...applied for second time July of 2019...I have a lawyer
In reply to I'm losing everything I by Brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
Hang in there! It can take a little while to hear a decision. I would continue to check in with your lawyer as they often hear a decision before you do. Best of luck!
Hey there. Our grandson has…
Hey there. Our grandson has leukemia now for over 1 1/2 years. Just underwent a bone marrow transplant. Mom left so dad is the only one tending to the kids and he had to go on short term disability. He has to stay at the hospital with the baby who is now 2 years old while grandma helps with other 2 children. Would he qualify for ssi?
In reply to Hey there. Our grandson has… by MiMi (not verified)
Hi MiMi, He might! First,…
Hi MiMi,
He might! First, you will need to look at the SSA's Blue Book to make sure your grandson meets the medical requirements. Your grandson's father will also need to be within specific income limits, found here: ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm
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