Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Benefits
Which social security benefits are you eligible for? The regulations can be labyrinthine, and trying to puzzle them out can be an exercise in frustration. 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, Social Security does not offer disability benefits to people with partial or short term disabilities. 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. Can I still 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, be aware that your earnings in your current job are not the only earnings the state agency will take into account. If you can move to another line of work and in so doing raise your income above the approved level, you will not be considered eligible 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.
According to my doctors, there are no effective treatments for my condition, so why do I have to continue to make office visits?
In the beginning, the state agency that handles your social security benefits will request that you go to doctors several times in order to get a complete evaluation of your medical condition. 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. The state agency may help you to find the specialist you need.
Once you are determined to be disabled, you will need regular examinations to determine the progress of your medical condition. 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.