Each year the SSA publishes data on the total amount of money given to disabled workers every year. In 2019, that figure exceeded $10.5 billion. This money helps provide a source of income to more than 8.5 million people who are disabled because of a medical condition and cannot work and earn a living. Disability benefits fill an essential role in the needs of disabled workers and help provide them with the funds they need for daily living.
What Does That Money Go Toward?
If you are disabled because of a medical condition, you may have additional expenses on a daily basis. You could be facing those additional costs without a paycheck. That is how disability benefits can be helpful. Disability benefits can help with your basic living expenses. You can use those monthly benefits for shelter, utilities, travel expenses, medical care, prescriptions, food, and so forth.
Without disability benefits and no regular income from work, you could face financial challenges. Disability benefits can help relieve the financial pressures associated with a disability. After your claim has been approved, you will receive monthly benefits just so long as you meet the criteria to qualify for disability benefits. Your monthly benefits will be deposited into your bank account, so you can access them as you need them.
How To Receive Disability Benefits
The disability claims process can be complicated. You will need to provide supporting documentation that shows you are indeed disabled and unable to work and earn a living. You can be approved for benefits by showing that your condition meets the criteria of a Blue Book listing. The Blue Book is the medical guide used by the SSA to determine eligibility.
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have sufficient work history to have earned enough credits. That means, in most cases, you must have worked the equivalent of 5 years full-time during the last 10 years. If you do not have the work history needed, then you must meet the financial criteria for your claim to be approved through Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If you cannot meet the criteria of a Blue Book listing, you can qualify through a medical vocational allowance. That approach takes your age, work history, transferrable skills, educational background, and medical history all into consideration. Your treating physician completes a residual functional capacity (RFC) form, which will detail what you can and cannot do, so the disability examiner can determine if you are able to work and earn a living.
Applying For Benefits
If you are considering getting the application process underway, you should speak with an attorney. A Social Security Disability attorney will know if your claim meets the criteria and what kind of documentation that you will need to get your claim on the right track. Gather up all the documentation that you have and complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page right now to get connected and speak with a disability lawyer representing clients in your area who can help you today—all at zero cost to you.
Back to topAdditional Resources
Back to topAdditional Resources
- What Is In The Blue Book Other Than Medical Listings?
- How Much Does Disability Benefits Pay?
- SSDI vs. Early Retirement: Which One Is Worth More in 2024?
