Social Security Benefits
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- I have a disability, am I eligible for Social Security disability benefits?
- I have a disability, how do I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
- Do I qualify for Social Security spouse’s benefits?
- Can I return to work while getting Social Security disability benefits?
- I applied for Social Security Disability Benefits but was denied. What can I do?
- Can an SSI recipient refuse to apply for unemployment compensation or other benefits if they might be eligible because they think they will lose their SSI and have to reapply once the payments stop?
- How do I reach the Social Security Administration?
- Do I have to visit a Social Security office to apply for benefits or can I apply online?
- Does Social Security Administration have a Spanish-language website that provides information about their programs and services?
- How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security card?
- Are you waiting for a hearing with the Social Security Administration?
- I have received an overpayment from SSA, what should I do?
- Where can I go to find programs to help me lead a more financially independent life?
- I currently receive benefits from the Social Security Administration; however I am interested in working, is there someone to support me in entering the workforce?
- Where can I get benefits guidance regarding COVID-19 and HUD, Medicaid, Medicare, TANF, SNAP and unemployment insurance?
- How can I find information on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in my state?
- Are there any programs for non-citizens or refugees who do not qualify for TANF, SSI or Medicaid, but who meet income and resource standards to receive assistance?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages people to apply directly online or to make an appointment to file by phone as soon as the person becomes disabled.
A person who has a severe physical or mental disability that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year or more or result in death may apply if they also are limited in their ability to work and earn countable income of more than $1,470 a month or more than $2,460 if blind. Unlike some organizations or government programs, SSA does not pay benefits for partial disability or for short term disability of less than 12 months.
There are two programs under which SSA pays a monthly benefit based on a disability:
The first, Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) paid to: (1) adults (called wage earners) who are ages 18 up to full retirement age (ranges from 65-67) and have worked long enough and recently enough and paid Social Security taxes; and (2) to a wage earner’s eligible dependent children (called Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB)) age 18 and over whose disability began before age 22; or to (3) a surviving disabled widow/widower (DWB) who is ages 50-60 and meets certain technical rules of eligibility.
The second program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits are paid to children and adults who have limited income and limited resources. The parent’s income and resources (savings) are considered for children under age 18. After age 18 the parent’s income and resources (savings) are no longer considered.
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- If the SSI applicant has more than $2,000 in countable resources, they may want to consider opening an ABLE account for depositing cash resources. ABLE savings up to $100,000 are not counted as a resource for SSI.
If you have questions about which benefit you may qualify for, you may want to telephone SSA before filing or starting the process at (800) 772-1213.
There are several ways that you can apply for benefits or start the process:
- SSDI
- Apply Online for Disability Benefits to file the SSDI application. At this time, you cannot file for benefits as a Childhood Disability Beneficiary (CDB) or Disabled Widow Benefits (DWB)online; or
- Schedule an appointment at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- In all cases, complete the Adult Disability Report online in advance. This will speed up the process.
- SSI
- You can get started but you cannot file the SSI application online. The link will allow you to set up your appointment to file online instead of calling the office; or
- Schedule an appointment at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI disability benefits. SSA will decide if you can come into the office to file or whether you can file by phone interview. There are in-office restrictions due to COVID. If someone is deaf or hard of hearing, they may call the toll-free TTY number 1-800-325-0778 to review their options.
Learn what you need when applying for Disability Benefits including information about yourself, about your disability condition, doctor contact information and any employment information for the last two years. Once you have applied, you can check the status of your application online or you can appeal the decision if you are denied benefits, within 60 days of getting a denial letter.
To help you get ready for your disability interview or online application, review the Disability Starter Kit. There is a kit for adults and a kit for children.
If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following: Either 62 years of age or older, or any age and have in your care a child younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
You can return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration has special rules that allow you to work without jeopardizing your benefits.
If you don’t agree with a decision the Social Security Administration made, you have opportunities to appeal their decision. The process starts by asking them to reconsider their decision, and if denied again then you can continue through the process by requesting a hearing with a judge and further actions.
No. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program of last resort (unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) or Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB)) and the law requires that an SSI recipient apply for any benefit they may be eligible to receive or risk termination of SSI.
SSA recently updated their policy and excludes all regular and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits paid under the CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and Presidential Memorandum from countable income and resources during the pandemic period. The dates for this exclusion and other assistance paid vary by state and can be found in this chart. Contact SSA toll free at 1-800-772-1213 with any questions about your benefits. The SSA offices are generally closed to the public at this time.
Please note: Outside of the Pandemic Assistance Period, Unemployment Insurance payments are included as unearned income for SSI beneficiaries; amounts in excess of $20 will reduce SSI benefits, in the month received and could impact Medicaid eligibility.
If the receipt of unemployment compensation and/or other additional benefits outside of the Pandemic Assistance Period causes the loss of SSI, when the payments stop, the recipient should notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) immediately and ask them to resume their SSI payments. SSI can be reinstated without a new application for up to 12 months after the SSI was suspended for this reason when all other rules of the SSI program continue to be met. One of the rules is that “liquid resources” (which are sometimes called “assets”) like a checking accounts, savings account, cash or investments, must remain under the resource limit. That limit is $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
If you decide to save some or all of these payments, an ABLE account, which is open to eligible individuals with a disability, is a great option for funds to grow tax free and to have up to $100,000 in savings not counted as a resource for SSI beneficiaries. There is no limit for ABLE savings for those who receive SSDI, Medicare or any type of Medicaid. To learn more about ABLE accounts, visit: ablenrc.org.
The Social Security Administration provides guidance regarding telephone contact, online services and options for requesting information during this time.
The Social Security Administration provides guidance regarding telephone contact, online services and options for requesting information during this time.
You can do much of your business online with Social Security. This means no need to call or visit a local Social Security office. You can take your time completing our online applications and even save your progress to return to later.
SSA strives to deliver great customer service and helpful information to everyone, including people who are more comfortable reading and speaking Spanish. Their Spanish-language website provides information about their programs and services. You can learn how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, and much more.
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, or court order or need to correct your name for other reasons, you need to tell the Social Security Administration. This way you can get a replacement Social Security number (SSN) card with your correct legal name. There are opportunities to change and request a new card online or at least start the process online to make the process move more quickly.
The Social Security Administration announced a new service for people awaiting a hearing decision. In addition to telephone hearings, Social Security will offer the opportunity for an online video hearing using the Microsoft Teams platform beginning this fall. This new free service will allow applicants and their representatives to participate in the hearing from anywhere they have access to a camera-enabled smartphone, tablet or computer. This stable and secure online platform allows the Social Security judge to see and interact with applicants and their representatives just like an in-person hearing, while maintaining privacy of the claimant’s information. Other hearing experts, such as medical or vocational experts, may participate as well.
Do not ignore an overpayment notice. If you do nothing, SSA will start to collect the overpayment from your benefits.
Use this tool if you have received an overpayment notice. It is aimed at benefits planners who are helping clients with overpayment notices but you can also follow these directions on your own, or with a planner.
Benefits.gov is a great tool to help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive, such as income assistance, employment accommodations, housing, caregiver assistance and other programs. You can browse by category or search using keywords. While this website does not accept or manage applications for benefits, it does provide you with details on programs and guides you through the process.
The American Dream Employment Network (ADEN), a program of National Disability Institute, is committed to helping Americans with disabilities achieve their American Dream. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, are age 18 through 64 and you’re ready to return to work, ADEN is available to support you. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time, returning to work or currently working, ADEN can support you in your efforts. ADEN is an approved Employment Network operating under Social Security’s Ticket to Work program.
TANF can assist needy families with children (or expecting a child) experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 emergency. The criteria for “needy,” income eligibility and services varies by state.
Special refugee cash assistance (RCA) and refugee medical assistance (RMA) may be available through a refugee program during their first eight months in the U.S. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides funding for a broad range of social services to refugees through the states and, in some cases, through grants. The purpose is to help refugees obtain employment, achieve economic self-sufficiency and adjust socially as quickly as possible.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must not be a U.S. citizen who is a refugee that has been granted asylum, Haitian, Cuban, Amerasian or a victim of trafficking.