FirstStep
SSDI Q & A
Source: Social Security Administration
General Questions About SSDI
What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefit for people
who have worked in the past and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI benefits
are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of their
disability.
Where can I get more information
about SSDI?
For more information on SSDI, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
To locate a local Social Security office, visit
http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.
What is the difference between
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI)?
The medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
programs, and the same process is used for both programs to determine your
client's disability.
Supplemental Security Income is a program run by Social Security that pays
monthly benefits to the elderly, the blind and people who have disabilities
and very low income. If your client is receiving SSI, he/she will also most
likely qualify for food stamps and Medicaid, too. While non-medical eligibility
for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work under
Social Security, SSI disability payments are based on income and resource specifications.
Who is eligible for SSDI?
Your clients may be eligible to receive SSDI if they:
- Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
- Have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of a disability
To receive SSDI, your client's disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. Your client will not receive benefits for partial or for short-term disability (less than a year). For more information about work credits for disability benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/credits3.htm.
Why is there a five-month waiting
period to receive SSDI benefits?
The waiting period is long enough to permit most disabilities to be corrected
or for your client to show signs of probable recovery within less than 12 months
after the onset of disability.
What does Social Security consider
a disability?
Disability under Social Security is based on a person's inability to work.
Your client will be considered disabled if he/she cannot perform at the same
working capacity as he/she did before, and Social Security decides that he/she
cannot adjust to other work because of his/her medical condition(s). Your client's
disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to
result in death. Click here for the Social Security Administration's
definition of disability.
Where can I get a list of disabling
impairments for Social Security Disability?
You can get a copy of Disability Evaluation Under Social Security ("The
Blue Book" 5/02; SSA Publication No. 64-039), which contains the medical
criteria Social Security uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily
for physicians and other health professionals.
The Blue Book is online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
This book can also be obtained free of charge by writing or calling:
Social Security Administration
Office of Supply and Warehouse Management
239 Supply Building
6301 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
You can also reach them via fax at (410) 965-2037 or e-mail at oplm.oswm.rpt.orders@ssa.gov.
What information does my client
need to provide in order to apply for SSDI benefits?
Your client may need to provide the following information to apply for SSDI
benefits:
- Social Security number
(Social Security number cards and replacements can be requested through the SSA Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber)
- Birth certificate or other proof of age
(the SSA Web site can help you locate the appropriate contact to obtain a copy of your client’s birth certificate at www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html)
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors,
hospitals, clinics, and institutions that treated you, and the dates
of treatment
- Names of all medications being taken
Original documents or copies certified by the issuing office must be provided.
SSDI Application/Interview Process
How does my client apply for SSDI?
Your clients can apply for disability benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability,
or by calling toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. Social Security representatives can
make an appointment for your client's application to be taken over the telephone
or at a local Social Security office.
What is the typical time period
to apply for SSDI?
Social Security considers the application filing date to be the day your client
makes an appointment to apply for SSDI. If the person fails to keep this appointment,
Social Security will send a letter saying the person must apply within six
months from the date on the letter in order to use the date of the original
call as the application date.
It generally takes approximately 90 days to process a claim for disability benefits. The time may be shorter or longer depending on the amount of information required to make a decision on your client's claim.
Once my client is eligible for SSDI, how long
will he/she be enrolled?
Your client will continue to receive SSDI benefits as long as he/she continues
to be disabled and meets other eligibility requirements. However, Social Security
will periodically review your client's case to see whether he/she is still
disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation of recovery.
- If medical improvement is "expected," your client's case will be reviewed within six to 18 months.
- If medical improvement is "possible," your client's case will be reviewed in three years.
- If medical improvement is "not expected," your client's case will be reviewed in seven years.
SSDI and Immigration
If my client is an immigrant, is he/she still
eligible for SSDI benefits?
If your client is an immigrant, to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, he/she
must:
- Be a qualified alien
- Meet an exception condition that allows qualified aliens to get SSDI
- Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
- Have a medical condition that Social Security considers a disability (see "What Makes Your Client Eligible" for more information about what Social Security considers a disability)
The Social Security Administration has a new process for non-citizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. Now, people age 18 and older applying for immigrant visas with the U.S. Department of State can also apply for SSN cards at the same time.
For more information on Social Security's immigration policy, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/immigration.