{"id":2760,"date":"2022-04-21T11:40:28","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T11:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alsoweb.org\/?p=2760"},"modified":"2025-06-30T16:34:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T16:34:54","slug":"how-to-apply-for-social-security-disability-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alsoweb.org\/nonprofit-blog\/how-to-apply-for-social-security-disability-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for Social Security (SS) Disability Benefits (And Who to Trust to Help You)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h1>How to Apply for Social Security (SS) Disability Benefits (And Who to Trust to Help You)<\/h1>\r\n<p>Applying for Social Security (SS) disability benefits can feel like taking a test you weren\u2019t sure how to study for. The information online can be confusing, asking you for documents you don\u2019t know where to find, and leading you on a merry chase from link to link to link. And unfortunately, the people claiming to help you navigate the application process may not be dedicated to your case\u2014or worse. Social Security benefits imposter scams are the number one type of government imposter fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Francine Marsh, ALSO\u2019s longtime Social Security\/Disability Advocate, is here to help, with answers to your Social Security questions and valuable advice about the application process and medical eligibility.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SSI vs. SSDI? (And More Social Security Disability FAQs)<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Benefits Are Available?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides two kinds of benefits to people with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is SSDI?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) eligibility is based on your work history. \u201cThere\u2019s no flat amount you receive,\u201d says Francine, \u201cbecause everyone\u2019s earnings are different. The majority of people with intellectual\/developmental disabilities (I\/DD) haven\u2019t worked enough to qualify for SSDI benefits, but they may be able to receive SSI.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is SSI?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to people who are disabled, blind or 65 and older. SSI benefits are not based on work experience, but on limited income and assets, the amount of which differs from state to state. In 2021, an Oregonian receiving SSI benefits can earn benefit amounts of at least $43,116 per year, according to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/dhs\/EMPLOYMENT\/VR\/WIN\/SiteAssets\/Pages\/Resources\/SSI%20Living%20Wage%20Transition%202021.pdf?msclkid=b7070577aa2d11ec829291afbdbb75e3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oregon State publication.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is Eligible?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income, or both depending on your work history, if you*:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Are unable to work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.<\/li>\r\n<li>Do not have a partial or short-term disability.<\/li>\r\n<li>Meet SSA\u2019s definition of a qualifying disability.<\/li>\r\n<li>Are younger than your full retirement age.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The SSA provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/ssabest.benefits.gov\/benefits\/benefit-finder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool<\/a> to help you determine which benefits you may be eligible for and if you meet the medical criteria. \u201cSome people who are terminal may be eligible,\u201d says Francine, \u201cas well as some people who are alcoholics or addicts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>*<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/disability\/apply-child.html#:~:text=Children%20under%20age%2018%20can%20get%20SSI%20if,very%20seriously%20limits%20his%20or%20her%20activities%3B%20and?msclkid=01e6419baa3211ec80ba72432d26689b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Children with disabilities under 18 applying for SSI must meet a different definition.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Much Can I Receive?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The maximum federal SSI monthly payment in 2022 is $841 a month and SSDI payments depend upon your work history and earnings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>How much can I earn while receiving benefits?<\/strong> The amount changes yearly and is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/oact\/cola\/sga.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">listed on the SSA site<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>How long does it take to get SS disability benefits?<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s not a quick fix,\u201d says Francine. \u201cIt can take up to 3 years to be approved. Even if you\u2019re terminal, it can take up to 4 months before you start seeing any money.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>What can I keep?<\/strong> Francine says people are often worried they may lose custody of their children, or of certain assets (like guns). That\u2019s not typically a valid concern unless the person is a danger to themselves or others.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Apply for Social Security (SS) Disability Benefits<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Other questions revolve around the process of filing for Social Security. As an advocate, Francine begins by looking at the applicant\u2019s mental and physical health and abilities. \u201cThen I make sure they get the info they need to win the case. They\u2019ve got to have the right physical and mental health records. You can be missing a limb, but if there\u2019s no record, it doesn\u2019t count. Then we prove they are too disabled to work.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Applying for SSI benefits for a child or dependent with a disability is relatively simple, Francine says, and <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/ICON\/main.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">your local SSA office<\/a> can help. But she suggests that adults filing for SSI or SSDI utilize the services of a professional, as advocates understand how eligibility is verified, can collect the necessary paperwork, and designate a payee if the applicant is not capable of managing their benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Having a professional in your corner can also be important if you\u2019ve been denied benefits and want to file an appeal: A Government Accountability Office (GAO) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/retirement\/social-security\/questions-answers\/what-happens-at-a-social-security-disability-hearing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> found that people with representatives are nearly three times more likely to be successful in disability benefits hearings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finding Someone to Help You with the Application Process<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>An advocate could be an attorney, or a disability advocate who has passed an SSA-administered exam and met other requirements. What\u2019s the difference? \u201cThere\u2019s a different dynamic at work,\u201d says Francine. \u201cFor-profits (like attorneys) look at their bottom line. That\u2019s how they make their living. If there\u2019s not enough money, they won\u2019t take the case.\u201d They typically charge for medical records, and for each call.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In Oregon, nonprofits like ALSO aren\u2019t charged for medical records, and talking with people is part of the job. \u201cA person who advocates for someone is available and concerned and interested in what they have to say,\u201d says Francine, who believes a good advocate is available post-application, too. \u201cIf someone calls and says, \u2018My doctor won\u2019t listen to me,\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m going to get evicted,\u2019 or \u2018My payee isn\u2019t giving me my check,\u2019 I\u2019ll help. My job is to advocate.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When choosing an advocate, Francine advises, \u201cIf an organization can\u2019t help you when you call, that\u2019s a red flag. This job is about communication. You want to be able to communicate with the person who represents you from the initial application and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>She also has a warning. \u201cUnder no circumstances will Social Security call you. If you get calls from Social Security hang up or tell them to call your advocate and hang up.\u201d Scammers also communicate by mail and email and may use websites that steal your information when it comes to a fake SSI application or SSDI application.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Apply for Social Security (SS) Disability Benefits (And Who to Trust to Help You) Applying for Social Security (SS) disability benefits can feel like taking a test you weren\u2019t sure how to study for. The information online can be confusing, asking you for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3759,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-blogs","category-ssi-benefits"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How To Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits | ALSO Oregon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to apply for social security disability benefits, what benefits are available, and how to find someone you trust to help you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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