SSDI Overview

An Overview of Social Security Disability Benefits Programs

Law Offices of Stuart Pastor — Dallas, Austin and Plano, Texas

Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to disabled people and certain family members provided that the disabled person has paid sufficient Social Security taxes. This program is often referred to as an insurance program because part of the Social Security tax that most employees pay is devoted to the Social Security disability program. Even very young workers can be insured for Social Security disability benefits.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled people based on financial need.
• Family disability benefits are available under both programs to pay benefits to certain eligible family members.

Generally, only persons who lack the capacity to perform full-time employment on a regular basis because of a medical condition can qualify for SSDI or SSI. In the year 2008 a person working part-time is not eligible to receive SSDI if he or she earns $940.00 per month or more. The average SSDI benefit for an individual in 2008 is $1,004. Some SSDI beneficiaries receive a much higher amount. The monthly SSDI benefit amount is determined in part by the amount of Social Security taxes that the individual paid into the system. The maximum monthly SSI benefit in 2008 for an individual is $637.00. The amount paid to SSI beneficiaries is reduced when the beneficiary is working part-time.

Medicare Eligibility

Persons who are approved for SSDI qualify to receive Medicare two years following the first month for which a Social Security benefit is paid. A claimant can be paid SSDI benefits for up to 12 months prior to the month that the initial application for Social Security disability benefits is filed. SSDI benefits are not paid for the first five months of disability. Many persons are eligible for Medicare when their claims are approved since many claims are only approved after lengthy appeals.

Medicaid Eligibility

Persons who receive SSI benefits are eligible to receive Medicaid. Winning SSDI and SSI is often difficult. In my experience, disabled people are more likely to win Social Security disability benefits if they are represented by an experienced Social Security disability lawyer.

Since 1991, I have devoted my legal practice to being a forceful and effective advocate for disabled persons, so they can obtain their SSDI and SSI benefits at the earliest time possible.

I work for my clients on a contingency basis. This means that I accept no fees for my legal services unless my clients receive their disability benefits.

If your original application is denied, it is even more critical to consult with an attorney.

What Types of Disabilities Are Covered?

Many physical or mental illnesses can qualify a person to receive SSD or SSI benefits.

Most cases are not denied on the basis that the claimant does not suffer from a medical condition that can cause disability, but rather that the medical condition in the case of the particular claimant does not cause the degree of impairment that has been alleged.

When the government denies benefits, it is often because the government disagrees that the applicant's medical condition is truly disabling under the law. I have experience with hundreds of these types of cases, and I have successfully represented people with a wide variety of medical conditions. Some of the more common medical conditions are listed here:

• Mental Illness Claims
• Spinal Disorders (Neck and Back)
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Liver Disease and Hepatitis C
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Chronic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Inflammatory Arthritis
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Heart Conditions
• Cancer
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Medical Conditions Affecting Use of Hands or Legs

Contact My Office to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you have questions about how Social Security disability law applies to your specific situation, please do not hesitate to call me toll-free at 1-888-616-6162 or send me an e-mail. I will personally answer your questions during a free initial consultation in person or over the telephone.