Social Security Benefits and You

01/13/09

Do you qualify for social security benefits? Picking through the convoluted regulations can be deeply frustrating, and when you are done, you may have no better idea than before whether you qualify for benefits. These frequently asked questions will clarify which disability benefits you are eligible for, and how far your benefits will stretch.

Is it possible to get partial disability through SSA?

No, people with partial or short term disabilities are not eligible for disability benefits through Social Security. You are eligible for social security benefits only if you are deemed completely disabled and your disability is likely to last a year or more. (Note that as long as your highest possible income is below an SSA determined level, you may work while collecting disability benefits.)

Although I am still working, I cannot work the same hours or skill level that I used to, and my income has dropped as a result. Is it still possible for me to file for social security benefits?

Yes, you can file for disability benefits if you are making less than a certain amount per month, averaged over a full year. The amount changes annually, so check the official Social Security web site or booklets to find out what the current limit is.

However, your current income is not the only number the state agency will consider when evaluating your case. If you are capable of earning a higher income by changing to another job, you will not be approved for disability benefits. The state agency will take into account your medical condition, education, skills, work experience, and age when determining whether you could move to another job, so you will not be required to do work that you are not well enough to do or that you have not been trained to do.

My doctors say there is no treatment that can help me, so why do I have to keep going to doctors?

When you first file for social security benefits, the state agency that manages your case will need a complete evaluation of your health, a process that may require repeated doctors' visits. The doctors you usually go to may not be able to provide enough information; for example, you may need tests or equipment that your doctor does not have. In that case, the state agency may arrange for you to be examined by another doctor.

After you have been ruled eligible for disability benefits, regular examinations will be necessary to track the state of your health. Not all disabilities are permanent; you may improve enough to return to work, even if there is no medical treatment that can speed your improvement along.