What are SSDI and SSI?
Generally, Social Security disability insurance benefits fall under two main programs, including:

• Social Security disability (SSD) insurance benefits. These benefits are available to Americans who have worked and, by doing so, paid into the national disability insurance system. Those eligible for these benefits include individuals who are not of retirement age, and who are disabled to the point that they cannot work. Social Security disability benefits cover a broad range of physical and psychological medical issues.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Supplemental Security Income benefits are available to any American who is disabled and cannot work. Recipients of these benefits need not have paid into the Supplemental Security Income system. SSI benefits often extend to children or other dependents.

Do I need an attorney?
It is always beneficial to have a qualified attorney represent you if you are denied Social Security disability benefits after your initial application. A qualified attorney can review your complete medical history with you and prepare the necessary paperwork to file for a reconsideration of the denial, stressing your disabling conditions. If your reconsideration is denied, as is often the case, your attorney will prepare and present your case to an Administrative Law Judge. Your attorney will be present with you at the time of the hearing to make certain that all appropriate information is presented to the hearing judge.

How long does it take?
The approximate average time involved in handling a claim through the entire application process is as follows:

• Initial Application-90-120 days
• Reconsideration-90-120 days
• Hearing Request-20-24 months
• Appeals Council-12-30 months
• Federal Court-12-24 month

What if I return to work prior to a hearing?
You are entitled to Social Security disability benefits if your disability is either expected to result in death or expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months. If you have been off of work for at least 12 months as a result of disabling condition or conditions and then you return to work, you may still be entitled to receive what is called a “closed period of disability” from Social Security. That period is generally 9 months.

How much money will I get?
Your Social Security benefit amount is based on your earnings over your lifetime. The longer you worked and the higher your average earnings over your lifetime, the higher your monthly benefit will be. Your benefit amount will be negatively impacted if there are years in which you did not work or your earnings were very low. The benefit amount is impacted by your age at the time of application, the amount of your earnings, and the number of years that you worked during your lifetime.
Social Security mails an annual earnings history and benefits summary to workers each year. They also provide an online calculator that can be used to provide an estimate of monthly disability and retirement benefits. You can find the calculator at the following link: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/AnypiaApplet.html. You will need your detailed earnings history in order to use this estimated benefits calculator.

Will my spouse and/or dependent children get benefits?
Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. When you start receiving disability benefits, members of your immediate family including your wife and dependent children may also qualify for benefits. Each qualified child may receive a monthly payment up to one-half of your full disability amount, but there is a limit to the amount that can be paid to the family as a whole.

What about entitlement to Medicare?
If your application for disability benefits is approved by Social Security, your monthly benefit payment will begin the sixth full month after the date Social Security determines your disability began. You will be eligible for Medicare benefits 24 months after your first month benefits are paid. For example, if you are determined to be disabled as of January 1, 2005, you will be eligible for Medicare benefits June 1, 2007 (24 plus 5 months).

Is this benefit for the rest of my life?
The Social Security Administration will review a person’s eligibility for benefits periodically. During the review process, Social Security will send a questionnaire for you to complete, outlining your current medical sources as well as providing information about your current condition. You will continue to receive benefits as your medical records are obtained and a final determination is made. If you receive a disability cessation notice from Social Security, that notice must be protested within 10 days to continue receiving ongoing benefits pending the outcome of the appeal.

You may lose your benefits if you return to work after you begin receiving Social Security disability benefits. You may continue to receive your Social Security disability benefits for a period of nine months (during a rolling 60-month period), which is considered a trial return to work period.