If you are disabled and your disability has caused you to be unable to work, you may be considering whether or not you should apply for Social Security disability benefits and, if so, how much you might receive. That’s understandable. Social Security benefits can be tremendously helpful in relieving financial stress when you are unable to work and earn an income as you otherwise normally would.
Let’s take a closer look together at how to determine whether or not you might be eligible for benefits and, if so, how to find out a general estimate of what you might earn and receive. After all, determining your estimated Social Security benefits can be an essential part of financial planning and budgeting and can serve to relieve stress and worry.
What Types of Benefits Are Available?
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits for which individuals may be eligible if they meet certain conditions. These include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI benefits are benefits that are funded through employment taxes that employees pay into the Social Security system. For that reason, in order to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, an individual must be “insured.” That means that they worked at a job through which those taxes were regularly paid. In addition, to qualify for these benefits, an individual must have a qualifying medical disability that has caused them to be unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): As is the case for SSDI benefits, in order to be eligible to receive SSI benefits, an applicant must have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled and unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more. In order to receive SSI benefits, however, an applicant does not need to be insured because SSI is funded through general tax revenue and not employment taxes. Instead, in order to be eligible, a recipient must have income and resources below a certain limit established by the Social Security Administration.
Regardless of the type of benefit for which you may be eligible, it is important to understand that the amount you receive will not be dependent upon your particular condition itself, or upon the severity of the condition that you have. Instead, it will depend upon various factors, including your earning and employment history, income and resource level, and a variety of other factors.
The Social Security Administration has a specific method for calculating benefits that includes consideration of these factors, and understandably, that method can be complicated. The good news is that you always have the option to consult with an attorney regarding your potential estimated benefit, as well as to check your Social Security Statement online. These methods won’t always be entirely precise, but they can be very helpful in giving a general idea.
What is a Social Security Statement?
The Social Security Administration maintains a database of everyone’s earnings records and work credits in association with each person’s Social Security number. In order to request your Social Security Statement, you can access your personal account through the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Your Social Security Statement will indicate whether or not you’ve earned enough work credits to qualify for benefits and whether or not you’ve earned enough credits for your spouse and/or children to receive survivor’s benefits if you were to pass away. Additionally, it will include a record of your employment earnings on which you’ve paid taxes. It will also include an estimate of the benefits you will be eligible to receive at various retirement ages (early and full) and the benefit amount you might receive if you become disabled.
If you review your Social Security Statement and you believe that there may be an error, you can contact the Social Security Administration through its website at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213, which is the number for the Social Security helpline. You can also call your local Social Security office and make an appointment to discuss the matter in person. Regardless of the option you choose, if you believe an error has occurred, it will be important to have all necessary documentation, including your benefits statement and any evidence that you believe supports your claim for a higher benefit amount.
Call Muse Disability Today
At Muse Disability, we know and understand every aspect of the law pertaining to Social Security benefits. We know the best legal strategies to pursue on your behalf as you seek the benefits you need and deserve, and we’ll always fight for you every step of the way. You deserve nothing less. If you are ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you soon.