SSDI: What You Should Know

People need to work to secure a reliable income for themselves and their families. Occasionally, work can be impossible to do for some reasons including dealing with a disability. People who become disabled might not be able to carry out tasks they could before their disability. However, there are some assistance opportunities that people with disabilities may benefit from such as Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

What You Need to Know About Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)

SSDI is provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Recipients (and eligible family members) of SSDI can receive benefits as long as they qualify. The applicant will need to be “insured” to get benefits, which means:

  • They must have a career history that qualifies
  • They have already paid Social Security taxes on their earned income

This program’s application process is quite simple and there are multiple ways to apply! You can apply for SSDI over the phone, in person, or online. The application process will most likely go as follows:

  • Having the necessary documents before applying is crucial. You can use the SSA’s Adult Disability Checklist to find out what information you might need to provide. 
  • Before submitting your application together with your supporting documentation, make sure to give it one last look to make sure that all the information is correct.
  • Now that you have submitted your application, the SSA will review it. This review will determine whether or not you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for disability support. 
  • Once the SSA has reviewed your application, it will be forwarded to your state’s Disability Determination Services office, which is responsible for confirming your disability.

What Information Do You Need to Provide on Your Application?

Remember when we recommended that you go over the Adult Disability Checklist to make sure you are providing the right information? You should see the following information requirements on that list:

  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Spouse-related details (former or current, if applicable)
  • Information about marriage (former or current, if applicable)
  • Information on children under the age of 18, if applicable
  • Medical condition(s) information
  • Contact information for a person who is familiar with your medical condition(s)
  • Financial details
  • Employer details
  • Relevant career history over the last 15 years for up to five jobs

How Much Money Can SSDI Offer?

According to each person’s current circumstances, the precise amount of money that people can receive will change. However, for 2024, the average monthly disability payment is $1,537. It is important to keep in mind that what you receive can be higher (or lower) than that number, depending on your specific situation. 

When Can You Expect to Start Receiving Your Benefits?

This program has a waiting period. As a result, recipients will have to wait five months before they can get their payment. On the sixth full month following the date of disability, the first payment will be made. The SSA decides the disability start date.

Is SSDI Support Available to Anyone With Any Type of Disability?

Sadly, SSDI benefits are only available for people with certain medical conditions. In fact, only medical conditions that are considered total disabilities are eligible for this support opportunity. This means that a disability that is temporary or partial will not qualify. To be considered total, a disability must:

  • Prevent the applicant from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA)
  • Be the reason for the applicant’s inability to work
  • Last for a whole year or be expected to remain for a whole year
  • Be expected to lead to death

A variety of medical conditions qualify for this program. Here are some examples:

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Different forms of cancer
  • Dermatitis
  • Epilepsy
  • Anxiety

Other Available Options for Support

Even though SSDI is an excellent support opportunity, there are other options that may interest you. Some examples of alternatives include the following programs:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Typically, people spend a lot of money on groceries every month. You should understand what support options are available. This includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is a supportive program that the government created to help people afford groceries. To do this, the recipient gets an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works similarly to a regular debit card. Each month, the beneficiaries receive money on these cards so that they can use them to pay for qualifying groceries at eligible stores.

Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program)

Section 8, aka the Housing Choice Voucher Program, is a great opportunity for housing support. It provides eligible people with housing vouchers that they can use to pay for housing costs on the home of their choosing in the private market. You should keep in mind that these vouchers are only valid in properties that accept them. Also, to be able to use these vouchers, the property you choose needs to pass an inspection that your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) performs. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is the last opportunity on this list and it is one of the most popular assistance options. This is a program that can assist individuals with a limited income and limited resources if they are with a disability, are blind, or are over the age of 65. For those who are eligible for the program, the maximum monthly payments are $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple for 2024.

If you have a disability, you will find that the application process for SSI is much similar to that of SSDI. Remember: even if you are not dealing with a disability, you may still be eligible for this opportunity.

Overall

Dealing with a disability is difficult on so many different levels. So, if you need some help with your situation, you can check out Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). People with disabilities who have a qualifying career history can benefit from this program. It can offer eligible people a monthly payment of $1,537 on average (for 2024). Other alternatives that might be able to assist people in need besides this support option include:

You should be aware of what assistance opportunities are available, no matter what you are dealing with. You should contact the Social Security office in your area if you are considering SSDI. For further details, get in touch with the SSA or visit their website!