Joanna Szabo  |  October 24, 2020

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Social Security Disability Overview

Social Security disability is a compensation program offered through the Social Security Administration (SSA) to those with health conditions that interfere with their ability to earn income.

Even though it may seem unlikely that you will become disabled, it is important to know about the options for disability offered through the SSA, because the likelihood of becoming disabled is higher than you may think. In fact, as noted on the SSA website, studies indicate that about a quarter of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before they are 67 years old.

SSDI vs. SSI

The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) offers benefits to you as well as certain close family members provided that you worked for a long enough period of time, as well as paid your Social Security taxes. In some cases, your adult child may also qualify for benefits through this program if they became disabled before age 22.

The Social Security Disability Insurance program is different from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which offers benefits for both disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. SSI can help those who are low-income and have either never worked or haven’t yet earned sufficient work credits to qualify for benefits through SSDI.

While these two programs are different, they both use the same process to determine disability. This determination is based on information about your medical, work, and education history.

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance Can Be Difficult

Unfortunately, not everyone who applies for Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits are approved. SSDI applicants are more likely to be approved, because they typically have a higher income and insurance coverage.

Indeed, the denial rate for first-time Social Security disability benefit applications is very high—about 70 percent of these applicants are initially rejected, even after completing the arduous claim process. There is an appeals process available for those who wish to contest their rejection, but this process too is complex, as well as lengthy. In fact, it can take up to two years before the first hearing from an appeal even occurs.

If the initial appeal is rejected, a second appeal can be filed, this time with the Social Security Disability Appeal Council.

The delay to your benefits as a result of the time-consuming claim and appeals process can be hugely problematic for those who are disabled and unable to work, because they may be forced to go quite some time without the safety net that the Social Security disability benefits offer.

If you are about to apply for Social Security Disability benefits—or if you already applied but your application was initially denied and you are filing an appeal—you may want to consult an experienced Social Security attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you file the most effective claim, gather all the medical evidence required, and help ensure you met essential deadlines, as well as advocate on your behalf.

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.