Social Security Disability (SSD)
If an illness or injury prevents you from returning to your
job, you may qualify for monthly Social Security Disability
payments. Social Security Disability (SSD) is a program of the
federal government designed to provide monthly payments to
disabled individuals. The income you received while you were
able to work determines the amount you are able to earn through
SSD. A yearly cost of living adjustment may also be awarded,
depending on how long you collect Social Security Disability
benefits. If you are completely disabled, you may collect Social
Security Disability benefits until you reach age 65. Upon
reaching that age, Social Security Disability converts to a
Social Security Retirement benefit.
A person applying for disability benefits must have earned wages
and paid into the Social Security system for at least five of
the last ten years. Also, the applicant must be incapable of
engaging in substantial gainful employment. If there is any job
available in your area that you could perform, you do not
qualify for Social Security Disability.
If your application for Social Security Disability benefits is
denied, you have the right to request a hearing in front of an
Administrative Law Judge. The Administrative Law Judge will take
testimony from you and review your medical records. The judge
may also hear medical or vocational evidence from the
opposition. As with any legal action, if you must request a
hearing in order to get your Social Security Disability
benefits, you should seek the advice and counsel of a Scranton
Social Security Disability lawyer.
If you are a member of a union shop, you can obtain additional
health and safety information from your local chapter.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
also provides information on SSD. There are six OSHA offices in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia (215) 596-1201
Allentown (610) 776-4220
Wilkes-Barre (570) 826-6538
Harrisburg (717) 782-3902
Pittsburgh (412) 644-2903
Erie (814) 453-4351
Social Security Disability benefits are paid under two programs:
the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) benefits program
and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits program.
Social Security Disability
The Social Security Disability insurance benefits are available
for individuals who have worked in recent years and are now
disabled, as well as their disabled surviving spouses and
children.
Disabled widow and widower’s benefits may be available to
individuals who are at least 50 years old and become disabled
within a certain time after the death of a qualified spouse.
For disabled adult children to receive SSD, they must be a child
of an insured worker who is deceased or who is drawing Social
Security disability or retirement benefits. Applicants must show
their disability arose before the age of 22, and they must be
unable to engage in substantial gainful activity.
Supplemental Security Income
Eligibility for disability benefit payments under SSI is based
on financial need. Supplemental Security Income benefits do not
consider whether the applicant has worked in the past.
Supplemental Security Income provides a minimum monthly income
for individuals who are disabled and poor, or over the age of 65
and poor.
If an adult child of an insured worker becomes disabled, he or
she may be eligible for SSI benefits if they fall below a
certain income and resource threshold. Child disability benefits
are available under the SSI program for children less than 18
years of age who are also disabled and poor.
The various types of benefits as well as long-term and permanent
disabilities are discussed in your Social Security Handbook. Any
Social Security questions that are not answered by the Handbook
should be referred to a Scranton Social Security attorney at
Munley, Munley & Cartwright.
Contact the Social Security Disability
lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright with your questions about
SSD. We have served the Pennsylvania area for more than 40 years
and we have substantial experience and expertise in dealing with
SSD claims. We can be reached for a free consultation by calling
(800) 318-LAW1 or by submitting our online
form.
For more information:
Social Security
Disability FAQs
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