What's The Five Month Waiting Period On Social Security Disability?

Disability claimants who are approved to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits (referred to as SSDI, SSD, and Title II disability benefits) are subject to a five-month waiting period before Social Security owes the claimant disability benefits. This means that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will withhold five months of an accepted claimant's benefits before commencing monthly payments (or, more likely, before determining back payments owed to the claimant, since it takes so long to get a disability approval). 

Exceptions to the Waiting Period

SSI claimants who've been approved to receive disability benefits aren't subject to the five-month waiting period. SSI claimants will be qualified to receive their very first payment on the first of the month after they submit an application for disability (but they will likely receive the first few months' payments in SSI back payments, since the SSA takes no less than a couple of months to grant disability benefits).

If you were approved for SSDI benefits, went back to work, stopped getting benefits, and then become disabled again, you won't need to wait five months to get benefits, provided no more than five years has passed between your first onset date of disability and the second. This is called expedited reinstatement.

If you are trying to get benefits as the child of a disabled employee, your application isn't at the mercy of any waiting period.

When the Waiting Period Starts

The five-month waiting period starts on the claimant's established onset date (EOD) of disability. (This is the date that the SSA states the claimant became disabled.) Hence the date of entitlement to Social Security benefits (when the claimant will be owed a monthly payment) does not start until five months after the EOD.

For more great information about SSI and SSDI benefits, call Kassin and Carrow today at 1-800-273-8380!

What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and SSI?

The main difference between Social Security Disability (SSD, or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fact that SSD is available for workers who've accumulated a sufficient number of work credits, while SSI disability benefits are around for low-income individuals who have either never worked or who haven't earned enough work credits to qualify for SSD.

While many individuals don't distinguish between SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), they are two totally different governmental programs. While both programs are overseen and handled by the Social Security Administration, and medical eligibility is determined in the same fashion for both programs, there are distinct differences between the two.

What Is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income is a program that's strictly need-based, as outlined by income and assets, and is financed by general fund taxes. SSI is called a "means-tested program," meaning it does not have anything to do with work history, but purely with financial need. To meet the SSI income requirements, you need to have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple) and a very limited income.

Disabled people who are eligible under the income requirements for SSI are also able to receive Medicaid in the state they live in. Most people who are eligible for SSI will also qualify for food stamps, and the amount an eligible person will receive is based on where they live and the amount of regular, monthly income they have. SSI benefits will begin on the first of the month when you first submit your application.

What Is SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance is financed through payroll taxes. SSDI recipients are viewed as "insured" because they have worked for a particular number of years and have made contributions to the Social Security trust fund in the form of FICA Social Security taxes. SSDI candidates must be younger than 65 and have attained a particular number of "work credits." After getting SSDI for two years, a disabled individual will become eligible for Medicare.

Under SSDI, a disabled person's spouse and children dependents are eligible to receive partial dependent benefits, known as auxiliary benefits. Nevertheless, only adults over the age of 18 can be given the SSDI disability benefit.

There's a five-month waiting period for benefits, which means the SSA will not pay you benefits for the first five months once you become impaired. The amount of the monthly benefit after the waiting period is over depends on your earnings record, like the Social Security retirement benefit.

Kassin And Carrow are ready and willing to help you with any needs you have with SSI or SSDI benefits. Give them a call right now and schedule a consultation.

Disability Benefits For Veterans

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces with issues connected to, or exacerbated by, active service can be qualified to receive veterans disability benefits. After the veteran has sent applications for benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assesses the medical evidence and determines whether the veteran is eligible for benefits. The VA then assigns the disability a rating level, which determines the quantity of monetary compensation the veteran will receive because of his handicap or disease.

Disability Ratings

To be able to be eligible for veterans disability benefits, specific criteria must be met. If the VA determines that a the veteran qualifies for disability benefits, it assigns the disability a rating to indicate the degree of the disability or disease. The disability rating represents the "average detriment to earning capacity" as a result of the disability or disease.

The ratings are assigned in 10% increments, starting from 10% to 100% handicapped. A higher disability rating indicates the veteran has a more severe disability, and subsequently receives a greater monthly compensation payment. For example, under the current rates for veterans without dependents, a 10% handicapped veteran is entitled to $123 monthly, a 50% disabled veteran is eligible for $770 per month, and a 100% (or entirely) disabled veteran is eligible for $2,673 every month. Usually, the compensation rates are subject to a yearly cost of living increase.

The law also provides for special compensation rates for many enumerated, more serious disabilities or injuries. Injuries like loss of a single hand or foot, blindness or severe injury to one eye, loss of ability to talk, and deafness, to name a few examples, are eligible for an increase of $96 every month per injury (maximum $4,667 per month) over the base compensation rate. Loss of both hands, both feet, blindness in both eyes, or a permanent bedridden state entitles the veteran to $3,327 compensation each month. The law also lists other disabilities that may merit higher, specific payments. Additionally, the statute enables the Secretary of the VA to approve higher payments for more serious disabilities if necessary, with a maximum of $4,667 per month.

If you are a veteran and you feel that you are entitled to disability benefits, call Kassin and Carrow today for a consultation.