Most people need to work to be able to survive since work brings in income. This income is the money you use to deal with expenses you need. This would include housing, food, or even buying a car. There are unexpected things that get in the way of work, such as a disability. When people have a disability, they might not work or do things they could have done before. This is where disability support comes in handy, such as the Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) program.
What is Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)?
The SSDI program is the responsibility of the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is part of the federal government. Recipients and their eligible family members can get benefits from the SSDI, as long as they are able to qualify. However, the applicant needs to be “insured”, which means that they:
- Have made all payments for Social Security taxes on their earnings
- Have a qualifying employment background
How to Apply for SSDI
There are three simple ways to apply for the SSDI program, which are through the phone, online, or in person. Normally, you would find the application process to go as:
- Make sure you get all the documents you need to apply. If you are interested in finding out what kind of information you need to present, the Adult Disability Checklist can help you out. The SSA provides this tool.
- Review your application before you send it in with your additional documents. Make sure that all the information is accurate and true!
- The SSA looks through your application, after you submit it. While the SSA reviews your application, they will focus on whether you meet the minimum eligibility requirements to receive support.
- After the SSA finishes looking through your application, they send your application to your state’s Disability Determination Services office.
- The Disability Determination Services office is in charge of looking through your application to determine your disability.
Information You Might Need to Provide On Your Application
As we mentioned above, you should look through the Adult Disability Checklist to verify the information you might need to present. On the checklist, you might find the following information that you need to provide:
- Your birth date and location
- Spousal and marriage information (on your previous or current spouse/marriage, whichever applies to your situation)
- Social Security number
- Information about your children, in case they are younger than the age of 18 (whichever applies)
- Contact information on someone who knows everything about your disability
- Information on your disability and medical condition(s)
- Your financial situation’s information
- Information on your previous employer
- Employment background for up to five jobs over the last 15 years
The Amount of Benefits You Can Receive from the SSDI
How much you can get from the SSDI program will depend on your current situation. On average, the disability benefit for 2024 per month is $1,537! Remember that it can cost more or less than this amount, depending on your current situation.
How Long Will It Take To Receive SSDI Benefits?
The SSDI program comes with a general waiting period, which takes about five months. Normally, the sixth month after the disability date is when the first payment is received. The disability date is a date that the SSA determines for you.
Qualifying Medical Conditions for SSDI
Only some medical conditions and disabilities can qualify for SSDI benefits. These medical conditions need to be classified as a total disability to be eligible. Temporary or partial disabilities do not qualify. Total disabilities must:
- Lead to the applicant not having the ability to participate in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) or being unable to work
- Continue for one year or be expected to continue for a year
- Be possible to lead to death
A lot of different medical conditions can be eligible for SSDI benefits, which include the following:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Dermatitis
- Epilepsy
- Different types of cancer
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Anxiety
Alternate Assistance Options to Consider
The SSDI program is a great opportunity for assistance, but there are other options out there to consider. Some alternate options to think about include:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Another popular assistance option for those who need support is the SSI program. Those who have limited access to income/resources can benefit from SSI as long as they either have a disability, are blind, or at least 65 years old. The SSI offers monthly payments to recipients that are worth up to:
- $943 for a single individual
- $1,415 for a joint couple
If you have a disability, you will find that the SSDI and SSI programs are similar when it comes to applying. Furthermore, in the case that you do not have a disability, you should remember that you can still be eligible to receive benefits from SSI.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Everyone has to deal with groceries and the cost that comes with them. It is crucial for you to know that there are food support options available. The federal government recognizes the struggle that people go through when it comes to food costs, which is why they created SNAP. SNAP offers monthly payments on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT). If you are a recipient, then you can use these cards to buy eligible items at stores that accept these cards as payment.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
If you have a tough time with housing, you should consider Section 8 housing. This housing aid program offers housing vouchers to qualifying individuals to use for housing costs in the private market. Recipients can only use these vouchers at locations that accept them as payment and pass a housing inspection that the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) performs.
In Conclusion
A lot of people with disabilities find it hard to handle everyday life tasks like working. If you relate to this, you could gain from applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This program helps people with total disabilities that have an eligible employment background. Furthermore, the average monthly amount to receive in 2024 from SSDI is $1,537 as a recipient. However, this amount could increase or decrease based on your current situation. Other than this support option, other opportunities that can help people who are financially struggling are:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Whatever you are going through, you should know what your options are for assistance. If you want to apply for SSDI, you should contact your local Social Security office. Additionally, you can contact the SSA or look through their website to get more information. Good luck!