Social Security FAQs
How do I apply for Social Security benefits?telephone interview regarding your claim can be scheduled by calling 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office and file the claim in person.
I haven’t worked for years and have been staying home taking care of my children. Now that I am ill, can I file a claim for Social Security disability benefits?Prior to becoming disabled, if you worked five of the last ten years under Social Security, you’ve accumulated enough earnings to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If you haven’t worked that much over the last ten years or haven’t worked at all, it’s possible that you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Am I required to wait a certain amount of time before I’m allowed to file for Social Security disability benefits?You can file for Social Security disability benefits immediately after becoming disabled, meaning that same day. Do not file a claim if you are only stricken with a minor illness or one that probably will not last beyond a year. In contrast, if you are aware of a serious illness or injury and predict you will be out of work at least a year, don’t hesitate to file the claim.
If your disability is not permanent, can you still qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
No, but you must have been disabled for no less than a year, expect to be disabled for at least a year, or have knowledge of a condition that normally has a deadly outcome within a year.
I was injured at work and am receiving workers’ comp. Should I file a Social Security disability benefits claim now or hold off until my workers’ compensation case is settled?You shouldn’t wait until workers’ compensation expires to file a claim for Social Security disability benefits because you are allowed to do both at the same time. It’s best to file the Social Security disability claim as quickly as possible because there could be a delay between when workers’ compensation ends and Social Security disability benefits start.
Can I receive workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits at the same time?Yes, but the amount of Social Security you can receive may be lowered to offset the amount of workers’ compensation you are receiving. However, this offset may work in reverse to reduce workers’ compensation benefits if you receive Social Security disability benefits first.
I am disabled, but I have money in a savings account. Should I wait until I’ve emptied this account before applying for Social Security disability benefits?How much money you have saved is irrelevant if you’ve worked sometime during the past few years, or if you are applying for Disabled Widow’s or Widower’s benefits or Disabled Adult Child benefits. Income and assets (or “resources”) are considered only in connection with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits.
How much can I expect to receive after approval for Social Security disability benefits?Disability insurance benefits are all based on past wages and the amount of time worked. Monthly SSI disability benefits are set by federal law and are increased annually each January for the cost-of-living. The basic individual monthly SSI benefit in 2008 will be $637; it will be $956 for a couple. Many states further supplement these amounts.
I was injured in a car accident, but I will be returning to work after recovering. Does it make sense to file for Social Security disability benefits?You should only do so if you anticipate being out of work for more than a year.
How long can I expect to wait until my Social Security benefits are approved?It depends whether you are approved on the date of your initial filing or if you will have to undergo the two-step appeal process of Request for Reconsideration and Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If the initial filing goes through, you only have to wait one to three months, while an appeal can be anywhere from two to three years.
For more answers to your social security questions visit, Social Security Disability Questions.