In October, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a record cost-of-living adjustment rise and increased disability benefits for claimants in 2023.
Social Security Card: Senior woman holding card in hand on white background (Photo: iStock Photo)
In 2022, prices for virtually everything increased at a rate not seen in four decades. Beneficiaries of Social Security get monthly payments that are adjusted to inflation so that they do not lose purchasing power.
Regrettably, the Social Security Administration’s historic 8.7 percent COLA increase will not cover the entire rise in the cost of living. Nonetheless, it increased disability benefit payouts by an average of $119 per month, or $1,428 annually. The maximum amount that Supplemental Support Income recipients could get increased by $73 per month, while the increase for couples was $110.
Who is eligible for Social Security disability benefits?
Beginning in 2023, around 16.5 million Americans received either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. While each program is funded differently, its eligibility requirements vary. Whereas SSDI is a contributing program in which workers pay into the system through a payroll tax, SSI is a need-based, non-contributory entitlement.
Supplemental Security Income requirements
While the program is designed to serve specific groups of low-income Individuals, SSI eligibility rules are relatively stringent. SSI recipients must be at least 65 years old, blind, or handicapped. In general, grantees must be US citizens or nationals, however there are exceptions for specific kinds of lawful foreigners.
Applicants must consent to the Social Security Administration’s enquiries for financial documents in order to verify that they fit the limited income and limited resources standards. There are no fixed standards for these criteria, as they are dependent on the claimant’s specific circumstances and geographic location.
Disability benefits cannot be confined to government-funded institutions such as prisons or hospitals. In addition, persons who receive SSI benefits cannot be out of the nation for a complete calendar month or for 30 days in a row.
Anybody unsure of their eligibility can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 for the deaf or hard of hearing).
Requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance
As with the SSI program, a person who wants to get SSDI payments must meet the medical criteria for disability. This means that they must have a condition that is expected to last at least a year or is likely to kill them.
The applicant must have worked long enough and paid adequate Social Security taxes, or he or she must be the donor to the fund from which the family member is applying.
Application procedure for Supplemental Security Income
Users can also apply for other SSA program through this portal, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Earlier this year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) put out new rules in the Federal Register (82 FR 5844) about how medical evidence is evaluated when someone claims to be disabled. (Photo: https://www.robinsonandhenry.com)
How long does it take the Social Security Administration to process a disability benefit claim?
According to the organization, the SSA may take between three and five months to deliver you a decision. How long it takes to process your claim depends on how long it takes to collect the appropriate information. Your application is forwarded to the state agency whose medical and vocational specialists make the determination regarding your handicap.
You may be required to submit further paperwork, or they may suggest that you undergo a free examination or medical test. The Social Security Administration warns against missing appointments for medical testing or examinations.
Due to a mandated five-month waiting period, you cannot begin receiving SSDI payments until the sixth full month after it has been confirmed that your disability began.
How much do SSI and SSDI recipients with disabilities receive?
The federal government determines the monthly SSI disability benefit payments, and several states supplement the amount that recipients receive. SSDI benefits will be included in a beneficiary’s “countable” income, as defined by Social Security. The amount that exceeds this federally established threshold will be deducted from a recipient’s monthly benefit, minus a $20 exemption. In 2022, the maximum monthly “countable” income and federal SSI payout are set at $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples.
SSDI benefits, on the other hand, are set by the Social Security Administration based on characteristics such as age, income level, work history, and personal circumstances. Obtaining state disability payments or workers’ compensation could diminish your monthly SSDI disability benefit.
Read more:
Senior’s Social Security: Significant Increase for Beneficiaries This 2023
How Much Does Social Security Pay on Average at 65?
Social Security Update: 3 Types of Americans Who Won’t Get Benefits
