Common Myths about Social Security Disability

Since it has been established, people have believed certain myths about Social Security Disability. However, not all information that is told about Social Security is correct. For example, statements can be overexaggerated or fabricated. It is important to research information about Social Security directly in order to receive accurate information and facts. Listed below are 10 myths that are common to hear about Social Security Disability. To find the information contained in the following explanations, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov.

A person needs to be disabled for a year before they can apply for disability benefits.

This myth is not true. The SSA lists in their Blue Book that a person qualifies for benefits if they have a disability as a result of an injury or illness that is predicted to endure for at least 12 months. If an employee is diagnosed by a medical official that states their injury will last for over a year and they will be unable to work, they should apply for Social Security Disability as soon as possible.

Workers must be close to retirement age to receive disability benefits.

Social Security provides benefits to people who are unable to work as a result of a disability. This does not only apply to people who are near their retirement age. It is important to know that Social Security benefits are based on a person’s average lifetime earnings before their disability occurred. It is likely that a person who worked a long time and made a plentiful amount of earnings throughout their career will receive a larger amount of benefit payments.

A person cannot receive Workers’ Compensation and Disability benefits simultaneously.

It is possible to receive both benefits. For example, if a disability or impairment occurred as a result an injury or illness from work, an individual can receive Workers’ Compensation. This may cause Disability benefits to be decreased in an offset, but the Claimant still typically ends up in a better financial situation. However, people can continue to receive both benefit payments.

If a medical official diagnoses a person with disablement or impairment, they will qualify for benefits.

The Social Security Administration ultimately makes the final decision on whether a person will receive benefits. An official diagnosis by a licensed medical worker will help the SSA make a decision. It may not automatically confirm that a person will receive benefits, but it will influence the SSA to deny or accept a claim.

If a medical condition or disability is not directly listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, people will not be able to receive benefits.

The Blue Book does not directly state every disability that people may have. Any impairment or disability that affects the ability of someone to work properly may qualify them to receive benefits. Once a person files a claim, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine whether the disability will qualify for benefits.

SSI and SSDI are the same program.

It is true that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) both provide benefits to people who are disabled or impaired. On the contrary, there are very distinct differences between the two programs. SSI provides benefits to people who are disabled and have little income. This allows people to pay for basic necessities, such as food and clothing. SSDI administers benefits to workers who are “insured.” As stated by the Social Security Administration, the term “insured” applies to people who have worked for a prolonged period of time and paid towards Social Security taxes on their earnings. A person needs a certain number of work credits to qualify for SSDI, while for SSI the person’s household income and assets are used to decide if they qualify. Both programs have the same medical standard.

The application process always takes months to years to complete.

It is common that an application for Social Security Disability may take many weeks or months to be accepted or denied. However, the time to hear a response can vary between 3 weeks to almost a year. It is difficult to predict a specific time because each Social Security Disability claim is taken into consideration differently. The remainder of the process, reconsideration, and appealing may take longer.

Every claim is denied the first time.

This statement is false. Although it is common that initial claims are more likely to be denied, not every claim is automatically denied the first time. If a claim is denied, it is possible to file an appeal. In this event, a claim can become accepted through appeal.

If an employee goes to work, they will instantly lose their Medicare, Medicaid, or Disability benefits.

This statement is not entirely true. Although, it is true that earning more than a specific amount will make a person ineligible for Disability benefits. Earning a specific amount of month during a certain period of time shows that the individual is able to work. If a person with a disability continues to work and makes below the specific amount, their Social Security Disability benefits will not be affected. Generally, workers will continue to receive benefits if their disabling condition or impairment continues to exist. If they make a large amount of earnings at their job, a person may not be eligible for either Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. However, if workers remain eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, they will still be able to receive benefits.

It is impossible to claim Social Security Disability benefits if a person never worked.

There are certain circumstances in which people can be eligible to receive benefits for Social Security benefits if they never worked. Typically, benefits for Social Security Disability are determined based on an individual’s work history. In this scenario, unemployed people may be eligible to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on income and financial need.