How does a child qualify for Disability benefits?
Children who have severe disabilities may be eligible for monthly benefits under one or more of the programs Social Security administers. The Social Security program pays benefits to disabled or retired workers and their families and to the families of deceased workers. Child's benefits generally may be paid to a dependent unmarried child under age 18, to a child age 18 or older who became disabled before age 22, and to a full-time elementary or secondary school student under age 19. If the parent is alive, he or she must be entitled to retirement or disability benefits. If deceased, the parent must have worked long enough under Social Security for survivor's benefits to be paid on the record. A child age 18 or older may be entitled to Social Security benefits based on his or her disability when a parent who has worked long enough under the program is entitled or dies. The criteria used to evaluate the disability are the same as those used to evaluate disability in adults. The child must be unable to do any "substantial" work because of a medical condition that has lasted or is expected either to last at least 12 months or to result in death. (Usually a job that pays $700 or more per month is considered "substantial.") The child's disability must have begun before age 22. The SSI program provides monthly income to people who are age 65 or older, or are blind or disabled, and have limited income and financial resources. Children can qualify if they meet the definition of disability and if the household income of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits.
How do workers' compensation payments affect my disability benefits?
Ordinarily, disability payments from other sources do not affect your Social Security disability benefits. However, if the disability payment is worker's compensation or another public disability payment, your and your family's Social Security benefits may be reduced. Your Social Security disability benefit will be reduced so that the combined amount of the Social Security benefit you and your family receive plus your workers' compensation payment and/or public disability payment does not exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings. (Note that the unreduced benefit amount is counted for income tax purposes.)
I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, your disability must be expected to last at least a year. Does this mean that you must wait a year after being disabled before you can get benefits?
You do not have to wait a year after the onset of the disability before you can get benefits. You should file as soon as you can after becoming disabled and benefits begin after a five-month waiting period. The waiting period begins with the month Social Security decides your disability began.
Is there a time limit on Social Security disability benefits?
No. You will continue to receive a disability benefit as long as your condition keeps you from working. Your case will be reviewed periodically to see if there has been any improvement in your condition and whether you are still eligible for benefits. If you are still eligible when you reach 65, your disability benefit will be automatically converted to retirement benefits.
How much can I earn and still receive disability benefits?
Social Security evaluates the work activity of people claiming or receiving disability benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Beginning Jan. 1, 2001, a Social Security Disability beneficiary can earn $740 a month and remain eligible for benefits. The Social Security Administration uses the term "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) to determine if work is substantial enough to make a person ineligible for benefits.
What is a disability trial work period?
The trial work period (TWP) allows disability beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least nine months. During the TWP, Social Security beneficiaries may earn any amount and receive full Social Security Disability benefits. Effective Jan. 1, 2001, earnings of $530 per month count as a trial work month. After completion of nine trial work months, the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level is used to determine whether earnings are substantial or not. If earnings fall below the SGA level, full benefits generally continue. If earnings are higher than the SGA level, cash benefits are normally suspended while medical benefits continue. Beginning Jan. 1, 2001, a Social Security Disability SGA level is $740 a month, or $1,240for a person who is blind. This amount will be automatically adjusted annually based on increases in the national average wage index.
Source: The Social Security Administration
