What Now?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a payroll-funded program to supplement the income of those unable to work due to disability. For an individual to be eligible for SSDI, the disability must last for at least a year or be terminal. The disabled individual must also be under age 65 to be eligible, as 65 is normally the age of Medicare eligibility.
To be eligible for SSDI, individuals must have accumulated a prescribed number of Social Security credits (normally accumulated through work experience and payment into Social Security) during the 10 years immediately preceding disability. Requirements vary according to age, and those suffering disability before age 23 may be able to draw on their parents’ Social Security credits without affecting their parents’ eligibility for SSDI.
I’ve recently been awarded Social Security Disability Insurance. What’s next?
If your SSDI claim has been approved, you can expect to start receiving monthly payments covering the period beginning with the sixth full month after the date the Social Security Administration determines your disability began. For example, if your disability began anytime in January of 2012, your first benefit would be paid for July of 2012. You would receive this first benefit in August of 2012, as Social Security benefits are paid during the month following the month for which they’re due. The amount you will receive monthly is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
For more information about payment of benefits or for help determining how much you might be eligible to receive, visit www.SSA.gov.
Once approved, you are likely to remain eligible for SSDI benefits as long as you remain disabled. Your eligibility for SSDI benefits may change, however, if your health improves or you make a decision to return to work. If your condition improves or you go back to work, it is your responsibility to inform the Social Security Administration.
By law, your case will be reviewed from time to time as long as you are receiving SSDI benefits. You can expect to be informed if your case is up for review.
If you’d like further information about Social Security Disability Insurance, MedicareMall will be happy to answer any questions. And, of course, if there’s anything you’d like to know about Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap plans, MedicareMall will be happy to answer those questions, too. Contact MedicareMall now and we’ll make it our priority to see you get the health care or disability coverage that’s right for you.
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Social Security Disability Conditions