Social Security Disability FAQ

What benefits are available?
Can I get benefits for my family?
Do I need a lawyer to help me apply for benefits?
Should I use the Social Security doctor?
I already have Social Security disability benefits. Can Social Security ever take them away?
How often will a review of entitlement to benefits occur?
What happens during the review process?
What are the reasons that SSA will stop benefits?
What can I do to make sure that I don't lose my benefits?

What benefits are available?
There are a number of benefits available under the Social Security Law. You should apply for all of the benefits that are applicable to your case. If you have any questions about what type of benefits you are entitled to, please contact us.

Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) 
If you have worked and paid enough Social Security taxes and you are disabled, you may be entitled to disability insurance benefits. Payment of these benefits will generally depend on what you have paid into the system through Social Security withholding taxes.

If you have children who are under 19 and have not yet graduated from high school, they may also be entitled to benefits under your account.

Benefits start 5 full months after you become disabled.

In addition to a disability payment, you will be entitled to medical insurance under the Medicare system. The Medicare Benefit starts 2 years after you are first entitled to Social Security Disability.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI benefits provide income to a disabled person who meets the financial requirements of the Social Security system. There are very restrictive limitations on what assets you can have and what income you can make and receive these benefits. The benefits are designed for people who have no other income or support.

If you are applying for DIB benefits and you meet the financial requirements, you can receive SSI benefits while you are waiting for a determination of your DIB claim.

As of 2008, if you qualify for SSI, you can get up to $637 a month. You will be entitled to medical coverage under the Medicaid system. If you are found disabled, benefits start the month after you file

Widow/Widowers Disability Benefits
These benefits are designed for the spouse of a deceased person who was insured under the Social Security system. Under this law, a surviving spouse is entitled to a percentage of their spouse’s DIB benefits.

In order to qualify for these benefits, you must show that your deceased spouse paid into the Social Security system. You must be between the ages of 50 and 59. You must show that you had been married for at least 9 months at the time of death. And finally, you must show that you became disabled within a certain period of time (normally 7 years).

Disabled Adult Child
These benefits are designed for an adult disabled child of a person who is or was insured under the Social Security system. Under this law, the adult child is entitled to a percentage of their parent's DIB benefits.

In order to be entitled to these benefits, you must show that the child became disabled before the age of 22. Normally you must show that the child has never been married. Finally, you must show that the child’s parent is or was insured under the Social Security system and that the parent has retired, has become disabled, or has died.

Blindness
These benefits are designed for a person who meets the Social Security definition of blindness. Under this law, a blind person is entitled to DIB benefits.

There are special rules for people who are legally blind. They do not have to meet some of the work requirements that others do. They also are able to earn significantly more money than others and still keep their Social Security benefits.