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by: albert.tobega
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The question we probably hear more than any other is "How are Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income different? This is a good question because there is a big difference in the two. Social Security Disability is known as SSD and Supplemental Security Income is known as SSI. In reality, the only concept these two programs have in common is that they were both created for people with disabilities.
Supplemental Security Income is for those disabled persons who have either never been employed and earned money, or have not been employed enough total time to make them eligible for Social Security Disability. This would include children, stay at home parents or spouses, or younger individuals that worked but did not pay enough into Social Security in the last 5 to 10 years to be eligible for SSD before they became disabled. SSI also is income based, so if you are married and your spouse makes too much money for the Social Security guidelines you could be denied even if you are disabled.
For SSD, when you work and pay taxes you also pay Social Security. Social Security keeps a statement on every individual that details how much money you made in the years you worked and how many "quarters" you have paid into the system. This is a statement that is sent on a yearly basis to individuals once they have earned enough quarters to qualify for SSD, should they need it. In this record, you will be able to see what kind of benefits you would be eligible for were you to become disabled and were granted SSD benefits. This statement also tells you your Date Last Insured often referred to as your DLI.
Q: "I would like to obtain a copy of my SSD record. How do I do this?
A: You can contact your local Social Security Administration office and ask for a copy of this statement. You can also call the 800 number for the Social Security Administration and ask them for the pertinent information which would be how many quarters you have, what your DLI is, etc. To locate your local Social Security office, simply call 1 800 772 1213 or visit the Social Security Administrations website.
Q: "Why dont I qualify for SSD when I worked the majority of my life?"
A: This is a situation that is different for every person. When you pay into Social Security it is almost like when you pay for health coverage. Insurance benefits will end after a certain time has elapsed since you last paid. This is the same for Social Security. If you work for 25 years and you decide to take early retirement you are now not "paying" into Social Security. You only have a certain amount of time to file for SSD benefits before your coverage ends. If you are in this situation and your coverage has ended then you should consider applying for SSI.
Q: "I paid good money into the Social Security system, and now it is gone! Why cant I get it back?
A: This is a good argument but unfortunately this is not how Social Security works. In order to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits (and get back some of the money you paid in), you must have been determined to be disabled. Paying into the system simply qualifies you for Social Security Disability.
Q: "I am already getting Social Security Disability but its not enough, I need to get more money."
A: This is a situation that many people find themselves in, and it is a frustrating one. Unfortunately when you are receiving Social Security Disability there is not a such thing as getting more money. Social Security Disability is very "all or nothing"; you are either approved and receive your full benefits, or you are not approved and do not receive a thing. There is only so much "money" in your "account" to be withdrawn. It is similar to if you had a regular bank account that you withdrew monthly funds from, there is only so much money in that bank account and no more is being added because you are not working.
Q: "I was on SSD and then I went go jail, why am I not getting my benefits anymore?"
A: When you are in jail or prison, you are a ward of the state and the state is paying for your food, clothes, and necessities. During this time, your SSD benefits will automatically stop, and you will have to apply for benefits all over again when you are released. In this situation it may be a good idea to contact an attorney or professional that is familiar with this type of situation.
Q: "How long should I expect to wait before I get approved?"
A: The answer to this changes from applicant to applicant. Almost everyone is denied at least once if not twice. The entire process on average can take about 2 to 5 years. If you are in the middle of this process, and have a hearing scheduled to evaluate your application, it is a good idea to speak with a professional who understands the ins and outs of the SSD process. Most Social Security professionals offer a free consultation, and will let you know up front whether or not they can take on your case.
Q: "My SSD application was approved, and I have been receiving benefits. Now they tell me they paid me too much and I have to pay them back." A: This can happen and it is referred to as an overpayment case. If this happens to you, the first thing you need to do is speak to a lawyer who handles these kinds of Social Security cases.
If any of the above things happen to you and you do not know what your next step should be, it is time to ask. Contact a local professional for a free consultation and just because one attorney does not want to take your case doesnt mean that another attorney wont. There are attorneys that handle SSI but not SSD and there are attorneys that handle all types of situations with social security benefits. If you are not sure who to contact first there is a referral system for attorneys that specifically handle Social Security claims. This organization is called NOSSCR, or the National Organization for Social Security Claimants Representatives. When you speak to NOSSCR, be sure to let them know your specific situation, such as a stoppage of payment of benefits (called a cessation), a claim of overpayment, etc., so they can refer you to the best professionals to take on your case.
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More articles about social security disability, visit HillandPonton.com.
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