Social Security Disability Insurance

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In the United States of America, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program. It is designed to provide income to people unable to work because of a disability until their condition improves and guarantees income if their condition does not improve. It is not a handout or Welfare. SSDI is also frequently referred to as "DIB" (Disability Insurance Benefits), and "Title II" or "Title 2" benefits (named for the chapter title of the governing section of Social Security Act).

Contents 1 Qualification 2 Timescale for applications 3 Award/Denial Percentages 4 Differences between SSDI and Long Term Disability Insurance 5 See also 6 External links 7 Further reading

Qualification

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a person qualifies for SSDI if they:

• have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from engaging in any "substantial gainful work", and
• the condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and
• they are under the age of 65, and
• have worked 5 out of the last 10 years.

Medical proof is needed to show their inability to work. They must also meet a strict SSA medical listing for their condition, or if their condition does not meet the requirements of a listing, their residual functional capacity is considered along with their age, past relevant work and education in determining their ability to perform either their past work or other work generally available in the national economy. There is a list of Social Security disability impairment criteria, broken down by specific conditions, on the SSA website.

Timescale for applications

There is no standard on how long an application takes. Application time varies depending on what level of the process the award is made. In 2006, there were 2,532,264 applications for SSDI. The backlog of pending applications, as of March 31, 2007, was 1,463,153. Experts have asserted that this backlog is being caused by the increase in applicants, the increase in retiring SSA workers, the inability of the SSA to replace the retiring workers and budget limitations.

Here is a breakdown of average times as of the end of FY2006. All times include both awards and denials.

• Level 1 - Initial Application: 88 days
• Level 2 - Reconsideration Level: SSA data unavailable
• Level 3 - Hearing Level: 483 days
• Level 4 - Appeals Council: 203 days
• Level 5 - Federal District Court: SSA data unavailable

Beginning in August 2006 the SSA implemented changes on a trial basis to the application process in the six-state New England region in an attempt to speed up the application process. The SSA is currently considering implementing the program nationwide.

Award/Denial Percentages

SSA nationwide statistics in 2005 showed that 52 percent of all SSDI applications ended up being approved.

The breakdowns per level of the applications process was:

Level 1 - Initial Application: 36% approved; 64% denied; 34% of denials appealed. Level 2 - Reconsideration Level: 14% approved; 86% denied; 100% of denials appealed. Level 3 - Hearing Level: 63% approved; 37% denied; 43% of denials appealed. Level 4 - Appeals Council: 33% approved; 67% denied.

Differences between SSDI and Long Term Disability Insurance

• Social Security provides a regular monthly payment that supplements any current disability benefits already received. It also provides annual cost of living increases. A portion of these benefits may be tax free.
• Regardless of a person's age, after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, they are eligible for Medicare, including Part A (hospital benefits) and Part B (medical benefits).
• Once a person is entitled to Medicare, they are also eligible for Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug plan.
• If a person receives Social Security disability benefits, any COBRA benefits may also be extended from 18 to 29 months.
• Social Security disability entitlement "freezes" Social Security earnings records during a person's period of disability. Because those years will not be counted when computing future benefits, their Social Security retirement benefits will be higher.
• If a person receives Social Security disability benefits and they have a dependent under age 18, he or she may also be eligible for benefits.
• Social Security will provide a person opportunities to return to work while still paying them disability benefits.

See also

• Social Security (United States)
• Social Security Administration
• Jo Anne B. Barnhart Commissioner Social Security Administration

External links

• SSA's SSDI Web Site
• SSA's SSDI Eligibility Guidelines
• SSA Unveils New SSDI Determination Process
• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations
• Social Security Disability Information by InfoMin
• Social Security Disability Medicare and Medicaid Information
• Social Security Disability FAQ
• AT Wiki on Assistivetech.net

Further reading

• Social Security Disability Advocate's Handbook, by David Traver, James Publishing, 2006, ISBN 1-58012-033-4
• Social Security Handbook, Germania Publishing, 2006.