If so, you may be able to get Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. This pamphlet has information about disability benefits from Social Security.
April 2007
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are programs run by the federal Social Security Administration. You are eligible for these programs if you blind or disabled or, in the case of SSI, you are 65 years of age or older.
If I am eligible, what might I get?If the Social Security Administration finds that you are eligible for SSDI and/or SSI, you may get:
You must have a physical and/or mental health condition that keeps you from working for at least a year or is expected to result in death. The Social Security Administration will consider the following conditions when reaching its decision:
Physical Conditions. You must have a physical condition that causes problems walking, sitting, standing, lifting or carrying or that causes pain, tiredness, shortness of breath or other serious symptoms that would affect your ability to work.
Mental Health Conditions. You must have a mental health condition that causes serious problems with your memory, thinking, understanding, moods, or concentration or with your ability to relate to other people in the workplace.
Social Security will also consider your ability to perform your past work, as well as your age, education, and your skills when it decides whether you are able to work now.
It usually takes about 2 to 6 months. You will receive the decision in the mail. You can appeal if you are denied. (See p. 5.)
It is easy to apply -- you fill out an application and have an interview (meeting) with someone from SSA. You should apply as soon as you become disabled. You may apply in person at your local Social Security Administration office, by phone or on-line. You can find your local office in the phone book or call toll free: 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, call the toll-free TTY number: 1-800-325-0778. On the web: www.ssa.gov.
You can get a Disability Starter Kit from the Social Security Administration that will help you get ready for your interview and/or fill out your application. The kit has helpful checklists of documents and information that SSA will ask for when you apply.
You should apply for both because some people who are disabled are eligible for both without knowing it.
Whether you get SSD or SSI depends on your work history:
If you...worked at least 5 years of the 10 years before you became disabled --->You may be eligible for...SSD. (Younger people need fewer work years.)
If you....have not worked or your work experience was limited, and you have very low income and assets--->You may be eligible for... SSI.
What information will I need to apply?You will need the following information, but you should still apply even if you do not have all of the information.
Do your best to state accurately how your medical condition (or conditions) limits your ability to do daily activities. Describe what help you need (if any) to do a certain task. For example, if asked, "Can you shop or take public transportation?" And your answer is "yes" -- but only if someone comes with you, be sure to also write "only if someone comes with me." If you can do housework but need to rest every 10 minutes when doing such work, put that down. You do not need to write full sentences. Do not try to make your situation sound better than it actually is--if you need assistance to complete tasks--say so! On the other hand, do not exaggerate your symptoms or limitations.
Important: Keep your medical appointments and follow the treatment that is prescribed. Your current medical records are needed to support your disability claim.
Note: SSA must consider reports from other medical and non-medical sources. These sources include nurse practitioners, chiropractors, therapists, social workers, teachers, and the disability findings of other agencies such as the Department of Social Services (DSS).
You may be able to get cash and medical assistance and food stamps while Social Security is making its decision. Apply for these benefits at the Department of Social Services (DSS) office. Call Infoline at 2-1-1 to find your local DSS office.
Many applications are denied at first. If Social Security Administration says that you are not disabled, you have 60 days to appeal its decision. You should appeal; many people who appeal win benefits.
How you appeal depends upon when you applied for benefits. Social Security changed the appeal rules for applications filed on or after August 1, 2006. Your denial notice will tell you what you need to do to appeal the decision.
If you applied before August 1, 2006, you have 60 days to file a Request for Reconsideration if your claim is denied. This means that your claim and any new medical evidence will be reviewed again by Social Security. If your request is denied, you can then ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If you applied on or after August 1, 2006, you have 60 days to file an appeal with a Federal Reviewing Official. You can file such an appeal at your local Social Security office. While the Federal Reviewing Official is reviewing your claim, you can submit additional medical and other evidence. Although there is no time limit, the sooner you file such evidence, the sooner your case can be decided. If your claim is again denied, you can then ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.No matter when your application was originally filed, your entire file, including updated medical evidence, will be reviewed by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). At your hearing, you will be able to tell the ALJ about your condition. The ALJ may have a medical expert testify about your medical condition and/or a vocational expert testify about your ability to work in light of your physical and/or mental limitations. The Administrative Law Judge will issue a decision after the record is closed.
Your chances of winning an appeal are much better if you have a lawyer or advocate. You should contact a lawyer or call Statewide Legal Services (1-800-453-3320) as soon as you ask for a hearing or case review. You may be able to get free legal representation from a legal services lawyer. Legal services lawyers know the rules and regulations and can help you get all the medical and other evidence you need to help win your appeal.
Once your application for SSDI or SSI is accepted, you may be eligible for other programs. If you have not already done so, apply for these programs at your local Department of Social Services office. (Call Infoline at 2-1-1 to find your local DSS office).
You may also be able to get other benefits:
This document was produced by the Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT in cooperation with CT Legal Services, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, New Haven Legal Assistance Association, and Statewide Legal Services.
The information in this document is based on laws in CT as of April 2007. We hope that the information is helpful. It is not intended as legal advice for an individual situation. If you need further help and have not done so already, please call Statewide Legal Services (see above) or contact an attorney.
Copyright: April 2007