Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is a part of the Social Security program that pays monthly benefits to employees who can no longer work due to a serious injury or disability. The injury or disability must be expected to last a year or until death to qualify for SSDI. You cannot qualify for SSDI if you have a short-term disability.

As of May 2022, there are currently almost 18.3 million beneficiaries for SSDI. This includes the main beneficiary and qualifying family members.

According to a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults have a disability. The survey was conducted among 61.4 million candidates. With a high probability for older adults to acquire a disability, it’s important to know your eligibility options to help protect yourself and your family.

To be eligible for SSDI, you must have a disability or illness that matches the Social Security Administration’s official definition of a disability. The disability must persist your entire life, or at least one year. The Social Security Administration has a list of adult disabilities that would qualify someone for SSDI.

You also must have worked a job covered by Social Security for a specific number of years, which fluctuates depending on the age you became disabled. The amount of work required is determined by the calendar quarter and your age. This is clarified in the Disability Benefits Factsheet provided by the Social Security Administration.

Your work credits are based on your total yearly wages. You need a specific number of credits to qualify for SSDI, which depends on your age.

Typically, the younger you are, the less credits you need. You can earn up to four credits each year. In 2022, you earn one credit for each $1,510 in wages.

SSDI is paid by workers and employers as a part of their Social Security taxes. The tax rate is 6.2% in 2022. If your wage is $147,000, then you would contribute $9,114, and your employer would contribute the same amount. If you’re self-employed, the tax rate is much higher, at 12.4%.

Several conditions can lead older adults to apply for SSDI. Below is a list of conditions that many SSDI beneficiaries have.

According to the CDC’s study with 61 participants, mobility and cognition disabilities are the most common.

You can apply for SSDI online or call 1-800-772-1213. You’ll have to make a Social Security account to apply and provide identification information.

If you plan to apply online, you should have all your information prepared to avoid delays.

If your SSDI application is denied, there are two different routes you can take to be reconsidered. Whichever route you choose depends on the reason you were denied.

If you were denied for medical reasons, you can file an appeal on the Social Security Administration website. You’ll need to provide additional information to be reconsidered.

If you were denied for non-medical reasons, you should contact your local Social Security Office instead. You can also contact 1-800-772-1213 if you’re unable to get online. Those who are hard of hearing can call 1-800-325-0778 instead.

If you’re having additional issues with your application, you should hire a social security disability lawyer to help you with the process. They are familiar with complex elder laws that could potentially help streamline your application for acceptance.

When filing a SSDI appeal online you’ll need to provide additional proof of your disability or injury. Contact your doctor to obtain information, such as medical or treatment records. Know that it could take up to 60 minutes to complete the disability appeal application. You can save your process and return as needed once you have the correct information.

If you get denied SSDI due to having a short-term disability, you should not file an appeal. SSDI is only for those suffering from a disability for at least a year or until death. However, there is an alternative option to receive benefits for your short-term disability — state-sponsored disability plans.

State-sponsored disability plans offer temporary benefits for those suffering from a severe disability. In 2022, five states offer these plans.

Keep in mind that each state has different eligibility guidelines and qualifications, including how long you have worked for your employer, how long you must be disabled, and what percentage of your salary is payable by the benefit plan. Refer to your state’s official website to get more information and to apply.

Some states call their state-sponsored disability plan a different name. For example, New Jersey calls their plan the Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance. Rhode Island calls it Temporary Disability/Caregiver Insurance. Essentially, if one of the five states that offers a temporary benefit due to being disabled — that is their state-sponsored disability plan.

If your disability is not short term, you shouldn’t consider this option. You’re more likely to get a higher benefit amount if you apply for SSDI instead.

As of June 2022, the average amount to receive from SSDI benefits is $1,361.88, according to the Social Security Administration. The maximum benefit amount is $3,345.

The benefits you receive from SSDI are calculated the same way as Social Security retirement benefits. Both are based on your recorded work income on which you paid Social Security taxes. This means, there is no set amount of SSDI benefits — the amount depends on your income and taxes paid.

Tax implications of SSDI vary depending on your income. The more you make, the more taxable your SSDI will be.

There isn’t one day that everyone gets paid their SSDI benefit. Your SSDI payment date depends on the day you were born.

Keep in mind that there is a five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits, so you should apply right away. Your waiting period begins the first full month after you’re deemed eligible and approved.

While most situations that warrant SSDI follow the strict definition of disability and requirements, there are some special situations that are more flexible. You could still qualify for SSDI.