Social Security Benefits: Disability FAQ
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by: albert.tobega
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Are you eligible for social security benefits? If so, which ones? The regulations can be labyrinthine, and trying to puzzle them out can be an exercise in frustration. These frequently asked questions will clarify which disability benefits you are eligible for, and how far your benefits will stretch.
Does SSA offer partial disability benefits?
No, people with partial or short term disabilities are not eligible for disability benefits through Social Security. Only people whose disability is considered complete and is expected to last more than one year are eligible for social security benefits. (Note that if you qualify for disability benefits, you may hold down a job as long as your maximum possible income is beneath a level determined by SSA.)
Although I am still working, I cannot work the same hours or skill level that I used to, and my income has dropped as a result. Is it still possible for me to file for social security benefits?
Yes, you can file for disability benefits if you are making less than a certain amount per month, averaged over a full year. Social Security changes the maximum income level yearly. You can find the current limit in the official SSA web site or in official SSA booklets.
However, your current income is not the only number the state agency will consider when evaluating your case. If you could make more money by switching to another job, you will be ineligible for disability benefits. The state agency will consider your training, experience, age, and medical condition when deciding whether you are able to do other work, so you will not be pushed into doing work for which you are untrained or which strains your physical capacity.
According to my doctors, there are no effective treatments for my condition, so why do I have to continue to make office visits?
In the beginning, the state agency that handles your social security benefits will request that you go to doctors several times in order to get a complete evaluation of your medical condition. The doctors you usually go to may not be able to provide enough information; for example, you may need tests or equipment that your doctor does not have. The state agency may help you to find the specialist you need.
Once you are determined to be disabled, you will need regular examinations to determine the progress of your medical condition. Not all disabilities are permanent; you may improve enough to return to work, even if there is no medical treatment that can speed your improvement along.
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