Beyond Retirement: Social Security Disability Benefits

When most people think of Social Security, they often associate it with retirement benefits. However, it’s essential to recognize that the largest social insurance program in the United States also serves as a vital safety net for individuals with disabilities.

Approximately one in four individuals aged 20 can expect to experience a disability at some point in their lives. If you find yourself unable to work due to a permanent disability, Social Security disability benefits are available to provide support.

How Social Security Disability Benefits Work

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have a permanent condition that is expected to last for at least one year or more, and it should prevent you from maintaining gainful employment for the remainder of your life.

If your application is approved by the Social Security Administration, you will receive benefits equivalent to what you would have received at your full retirement age. Similar to retirement benefits, your minor children and potentially your spouse (if they care for a minor child) can also receive disability benefits based on your earnings history.

In addition to meeting the 40-quarter (10-year) requirement for Social Security coverage, you must have accumulated at least 20 quarters (five years) of coverage within the past 40 quarters (10 years). Younger individuals have the advantage of lower work requirements.

The Challenge of Social Security Disability Approval

Compared to private disability insurance plans, obtaining approval for Social Security benefits is considerably more challenging. Private plans generally grant benefits if you are unable to perform your current job. However, the Social Security Administration only approves applications if you are unable to engage in any form of work.

“It’s important for workers to understand that their diligent work and consistent payment of Social Security taxes may not guarantee them disability benefits in the event of a disability,” warns the Special Needs Alliance.

Calculating Your Benefits

The amount of Social Security benefits you receive depends on the contributions you have made to the system throughout your career. Dependent children and spouses are also eligible for benefits based on your earnings.

To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must have worked and paid “premiums” into the system for a minimum of 40 quarters, equivalent to 10 years, over the course of your career.

The required amount to earn one quarter of coverage has increased over time, but it remains relatively low. In 2023, the minimum earnings per quarter amount to $1,640, and you can accumulate a maximum of four quarters per year.

If your annual earnings over the course of at least 10 years amount to $6,560, you would qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, the benefit amount would be modest.

For an overview of your contributions to the Social Security system, along with the benefits you are eligible for (referred to as your Primary Insurance Amount or PIA) and the benefits your family may receive, you can visit the My Social Security Account on SSA.gov.

Dependents eligible to receive Social Security benefits through a dependent disability benefit based on your earnings history include:

• A spouse caring for a child under 16 or a disabled adult child.
• Children under 18.
• Children between 18 and 19 who are full-time students at an elementary or secondary school.
• Adult children who were disabled before age 22.

All dependents are subject to the same annual earnings limit as early retirees ($21,240 in 2023). Each family member may qualify for a monthly benefit of up to 50% of your disability benefit amount. In general, the maximum total benefit that you and your family can receive is approximately 150% to 180% of your disability benefit.

Social Security Disability vs. SSI

Although both Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are administered by the Social Security Administration, there are significant differences between the two programs.

In essence, Social Security Disability benefits are earned through work and contributions to the system, while SSI is a federal welfare program that provides basic cash assistance to individuals who were unable to work or contribute to the system.

Social Security Disability

• Available to individuals with disabilities who have accumulated 10 years of total earnings, including five years of earnings within the last 10 years.
• Monthly benefits are based on the amount you contributed to Social Security during your working years.
• Dependent benefits are available.
• Offers more work incentives and higher limits on the amount you can earn while still receiving benefits.
• Does not consider household resources or income. You can have significant assets or be married to a high-earning individual and still receive benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Available to individuals over 65 and children or adults with disabilities who have limited resources and low incomes, and who do not qualify for Social Security benefits or qualify for less than $894 in monthly Social Security benefits in 2023.
• Monthly benefits are based on household income and vary by state. The maximum individual federal SSI payment in 2023 is $914 for households with other income less than $20 per month. Some states supplement SSI payments with additional amounts.
• No dependent benefits are available.
• Any earnings above $20 per month reduce your monthly SSI payment.
• Considers household resources. SSI excludes the value of one car and your primary residence, but the total value of all other resources must be under $2,000 to be eligible for benefits.
• Considers household income. Being married to someone earning above the poverty line renders you ineligible, and getting married can result in the termination of your benefits.

Applying for Social Security Disability

You can apply for Social Security disability benefits online without the need to visit a Social Security office or speak with a representative over the phone.

While scheduling an appointment for an in-person or phone application is possible, completing the application online yourself tends to be faster and yields higher-quality results. As a former Social Security claims specialist, I had only 45 to 90 minutes per person to collect a comprehensive medical and work history.

By submitting the application online, you can bypass the initial waiting period of 45 to 60 days for an appointment with an SSA representative, as well as the subsequent weeks for manual file submission after the appointment.

Due to the time constraints during appointments, self-submitted applications tend to be more thorough and result in faster decisions.

Required Information for Social Security Disability Applications

In 2023, the Social Security Administration rarely requires documents, as most information can be verified online, and medical records are directly obtained from the source. Documents sent by applicants are considered of lower value compared to records obtained directly from medical providers.

It’s best not to delay your application or spend time gathering records before starting the process. Submitting your application as quickly and accurately as possible is the recommended approach.

Information you will need for your application includes:

• Personal details, including your date of birth, place of birth, address, phone number, and Social Security number.
• Name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current and former spouses.
• Names and birthdays of minor children.
• Bank account number and routing number if you prefer direct deposit.
• Details about your medical condition, including the names of any facilities or doctors you have visited, approximate dates of visits or tests, and any prescriptions you may be taking.
• Name, address, and phone number of someone familiar with your medical condition who can assist with your application (excluding doctors), such as a spouse, sibling, or friend.
• Name and address of your employer for the current year and the previous year.
• Pay stubs from the last year if your income varies significantly or if your condition caused a significant drop in income.

Working While Receiving Disability Benefits

It is possible to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits, but it’s crucial to understand how your employment can affect your benefits. The following tiers, applicable for 2023 only, outline the different rules:

• Trial Work Period (TWP): You have nine months to earn any amount without impacting your benefits. These months do not need to be consecutive. However, if you earn more than $1,050 per month, it will count as a TWP month.
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After exhausting the nine TWP months, you enter a three-year EPE period. During this time, if you earn more than $1,470 per month, you do not qualify for benefits. However, if your gross earnings fall below $1,470 per month, you remain eligible for benefits.
• After the EPE: Once the three-year EPE ends, if you exceed the earnings limit in any given month, your benefits will cease. In such cases, you must reapply through the Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) process, which is intended to be quicker than the initial application process but can still be time-consuming.

If you have any confusion or concerns regarding working while receiving disability benefits, contact your local Social Security office and request to speak with a claims specialist or the Work Incentives Coordinator in your area. It’s important to keep your pay stubs for any work you undertake while receiving disability benefits and promptly report your work activity to the local office to avoid potential overpayment.

Private Disability Insurance: Should You Consider It?

For most individuals, private disability insurance is worth considering. To determine if you require this additional coverage, review the estimated monthly benefit amount in your My Social Security Account on SSA.gov.

If your monthly benefits adequately cover your expenses, and you have sufficient savings to support yourself for six months or longer until benefits commence, you may not need a private disability insurance plan.

However, for individuals who have a shortfall between their monthly expenses and the amount provided by Social Security, it is advisable to have additional coverage to bridge the gap.

The Likelihood of Disability

If you believe you may not require private disability insurance due to good health, think again.

According to the Social Security Administration, approximately one in four individuals who are currently 20 years old will experience a disability before reaching age 67. Surprisingly, nearly two-thirds (65%) of private-sector workers lack long-term disability insurance. Additionally, an estimated 5% of American workers experience short-term disabilities lasting six months or less each year, as reported by the Council for Disability Awareness.

Presently, about one in four (26%) Americans live with some form of disability, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Short-term disability insurance typically offers financial assistance during periods lasting three to six months, while long-term disability insurance provides support for longer durations, ranging from a few years up to retirement age.