Life can be challenging when you have a disability that prevents you from working. Disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs can ease the financial pressures.
Applying for SSDI and SSI benefits through the Social Security Administration is not as difficult as you may think. To help get you started, the following information explains the differences between SSDI and SSI and how to apply for disability benefits through them.
How To Qualify For Disability Benefits Through SSI And SSDI
SSI provides disability benefits to adults and children who are blind or disabled. Eligibility is based on financial need, so you must have little or no income and assets valued by no more than $2,000 to qualify for disability benefits. The asset limit for eligible couples is $3,000.
The SSDI program does not have income or asset limits for eligibility because it is an entitlement program, which means you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings to be covered through the program. Workers generally must have worked for 10 years to be eligible for benefits, but workers with shorter work records may qualify for benefits depending upon their age at the onset of the disability.
SSI pays a maximum monthly federal benefit of $943 to individuals and $1,415 to eligible couples in 2024. Most states provide their residents with a supplemental payment. If you qualify for SSI benefits, you may also be eligible for health care coverage through Medicaid.
SSDI pays monthly benefits calculated based on your average lifetime earnings. The maximum SSDI monthly benefit a disabled, high-earnings worker who paid the maximum in Social Security taxes can receive in 2024 is $3,822. The average monthly payment in 2024 is $1,537.
Annual cost-of-living adjustments increase disability payments through SSI and SSDI depending on economic conditions. For example, COLA increased benefits by 3.2% in 2024 from what they were in 2023.
Applying For Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration offers several ways to apply for disability benefits, including the following:
- Apply online for SSDI: You may apply online for SSDI benefits by going to the Social Security website and completing an application. You also may apply at a local Social Security Administration field office or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Applying for SSI: Only disabled adults may apply online for SSI benefits. Application for children younger than 18 with a disability and adults 65 and older without a disability cannot be completed online. Instead, you must go to a Social Security field office or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI benefits.
The application review process takes several months. The Social Security Administration reviews the application to determine that you meet the financial or work requirements for eligibility. If you do, the application goes to the disability determination services, an agency located in the state where you live, to determine if the medical documentation supporting your application proves you are disabled.
What Can You Do If Your Disability Benefits Claim Is Denied?
More than two-thirds of claims for disability benefits are rejected each year. Do not give up if your application is one of them.
Contact a disability lawyer when you receive a denial notice to begin an appeal. There are four steps available for appealing an adverse decision:
- Reconsideration: You have 60 days to request reconsideration of your claim by examiners not involved in the original review process.
- Hearing with a judge: If reconsideration does not result in a favorable outcome, you have 60 days to request a hearing with an administrative law judge.
- Appeals Council review: You have 60 days to request a review by an Appeals Council of an unfavorable decision from an administrative law judge.
- Federal court review: An unfavorable decision by an Appeals Council may be challenged in federal court, but you must do so within 60 days.
A disability lawyer in ohio can help you through the application process and represent you in appealing an unfavorable decision.
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