Can I get Social Security disability without losing income?
I was recently asked the following question:
I need my job to survive. I can’t quit. I have some vacation days and sick time, but it is not enough to go without pay until they tell me I qualified.
How do I still work and file for SS Disability without loosing any income?
I have previously discussed working while applying for disability benefits. However, this question presents some new issues. Generally, I consider transferring from work to Social Security disability with no loss of income as an unrealistic goal. Here is why:
The processing time on an initial claim is about 4-6 months (in Colorado).
The test of disability under Social Security is an inability to perform work (at a substantial gainful activity level). So, working at SGA, after considering the exceptions) is a problem. Note: if an individual works below SGA level, it would not be a bar to receiving disability benefits. However, any work is still be an issue.
Social Security requires that a disability be expected to last 12 months or longer. This is the “durational requirement.” While Social Security does not require that a person is out of work (or working below the SGA level) for 12 months, Social Security can deny cases if it feels that while a person is currently disabled, but is unlikely to remain disabled for 12 months.
There is also the 5 month waiting period (on SSDI claims), during which SSA withholds the first 5 months of benefits. If the alleged onset date is the last date an individual worked, Social Security would still keep the first 5 months of benefits. So, even if an individual is approved within 30 days of applying, there may still be a waiting period in which no benefits are paid. Note: this only applies in SSDI case (there is no waiting period in SSI cases). However, SSI cases do not pay benefits before the filing date.
If you have read all that and digested the information in the links, you have a pretty good idea of what you are up against.
Can you get both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
I recently wrote about the difference between Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
But, can you get both: SSI and SSDI?
Depending on your circumstances, yes.
The maximum you can receive on SSI is based on the annual Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For 2012, the FBR is $698. That mean the most you can receive on SSI in $698 per month.
Disability Insurance Benefits are based on your payroll contribution to Social Security. The more you have paid into Social …
How far back does Social Security pay disability benefits?
If you are disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? Back to when the disability began?
It depends on whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or DIB), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits back to the “Protected Filing Date (PFD),” the date you contacted Social Security and asked to apply for benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance, on the other hand, pays benefits up to 12 months before the Protected Filing Date. However, you should also keep …
