Can I collect disability?

Question

I was severely injured and will be disabled for life. I received my social security statement and it says that I earned enough credits to qualify for disability for about $700/month.

I am disabled for life so can I receive disability for life?

Answer 1

yes, but you do have to apply for it and they will have a doctor that they appoint examine you and if you are lucky their doctor will agree with your doctor and even though they will ask for your medical records they don't bother to look at them and be prepared to be rejected and have to file for reconsideration, because they do not like to pay people and if you do get it you will have to have an evaluation about every 3 years.

Good luck.

Answer 2

When you apply for your disability they will look to see if you have enough work credits if you do your claim will be processed as Social Security Disability, however, if you don't have enough work credits you will draw SSI. 95% of all cases are denied the 1st time so don't give up. Keep your application open because if you get denied & you reapply that will be less back-pay you recieve if you get approved. I got an attorney after I got denied the first time. I kept on fighting. took me 2 years but I finally got it. Even though, my disability is life threatening the judge approved me for 3 years but that doesn't mean that my disability will stop. I will receive a form in the mail to fill out and if nothing has changed then I will keep drawing it. So please don't give up know matter how discouraging it gets it is well worth it. Now if you draw SSI, it keeps on going without random checkups

Answer 3

If you are receiving a Disability Pension you will probably be subjected to periodic reviews to "prove" you are still disabled, and will have to have your doctor submit that information periodically as well.

If you have to pay for your doctor to fill out forms keep all receipts, along with special needs and medical receipts to submit at tax time. It may not benefit you now but in Canada you can carry that balance forward until you can use it.

Once you begin receiving Seniors Pension in Canada you may have to pay taxes - so keep those receipts !

I dont know how it works in the US or other countries but in Canada you will receive a Disability Pension (CPP) until you reach age 65. At that time you will be switched over to a regular Seniors Pension, also from CPP.

In Canada once you start to receive or are eligible for the Seniors Pension you are also eligible for OAS (Old Age Security) and depending on where you live SAFER as well. SAFER is a benefit to supplement rental accomodations and special needs.

Check your Social Security Government information website for additional information on how much you will be eligible for once you are 65 years old.

In Canada a Disabled person receives only a small CPP Disability Pension, no more than $700 except in special cases.

If you have a union behind you or a Disability Pension through a private plan at work, or if its a Workers Compensation Pension you can receive a lot more. I myself had none of these, and Workers Compensation screwed me.

My mother who never worked a day in her life and contributed nothing to CPP was receiving about $1200 a month after my father died. I receive less than $300 from a Workers Compensation Disability Pension even though I have worked all my life until I became disabled.

I keep telling myself I CAN hang on until I hit 65 and will receive enough to actually live on.

From what I can see American seniors don't receive as many benefits as Canadian Seniors do, however give PM Harper time and I am sure he will axe these senior benefits in Canada.
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Answer 4

In all probability, yes. But there's two things to keep in mind:

>The Social Security Administration has to make a determination that you are eligible. Sometimes that's simple--though they are known for bureaucratic delays and screw-ups. In other cases, you may have to go to court (if that turns out to be the case, locate a lawyer through a disability advocacy organization--don't just pick one out of the phone book or TV commercials).

>If you go back to work and earn more than a specificed amount (about $900/month) for an extended period (about a year) you will stop receiving the disability payments.

>If you can't do the same work you used to, you can change careers, and your state Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation will normally pay for it (plus there are a variety of other programs you can get assistance from). This can (and in my case did) include paying for an entire 4-year college degree.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

You can get disability for life if you can prove it.

You'll need to apply for social security disability, and you have to show proof that you can't work, you'll need letters from your doctors. It would be helpful if you got a social security disability lawyer, they can give you all the ins and outs, it may differ from state to state. You will have to go to S. S. D. they will ask you questions and have their doctors check you out. Good luck.

Answer 6

I worked for Soc Sec for 32 yrs so here goes:

You will have medical reviews to see if your condition has improved to the point that you are able to work & earn over $820 a month.

Your benefits will continue if you are not able to earn over the allowable amount. But if you do the cost of medication for the disorder can be deducted from your monthly earnings but you must show proof of your payments.

Receipt of workmen's comp effects the amount of soc sec benefits. Soc Sec + WC combined cannot exceed 80% of what was your yearly income.

To sum up: As long as your disability prevents you from working & earning over the monthly allowable amt & your condition doesn't improve, you will continue to receive your benefits. Receipt of WC will offset the SS benefit.

If you are getting SSI disability instead of Soc Sec disability any income you receive will affect your SSI disability benefit. Note: SSI is NOT the same as Soc Sec pmts.

Don't bother getting stmts from your drs. It is SS who determines eligibility not your dr who doesn't know SS requirements. SS will obtain the medical records, ask specific questions of your dr(s) & make a determination based upon those reports.

Answer 7

Ignore the green troll. Sounds like you have not applied yet. Be sure to have one or more Doctors who think you are eligible who will give statements. Go to the state sponsored vocational rehabilitation agency in your city to see if there is anything they feel you should be retrained for. The Social Security Administration will probably send you there anyway. If you already have done it and you have been determined not to be re-trainable, then you are more likely to be approved. If you are re trainable, wouldn't you want to be? If you were hurt on the job, be sure to get all those benefits you are entitled to.

Answer 8

Yes, but you can be up for review which probably will never come since your case is severe. I do urge you to file for SSI and SSID, so you can receive a larger sum. SSI will have much more scrutiny meaning more doctor visits and such, while SSID has less work involved after you are approved. Also try for Food Stamps, thus you can earn roughtly 1500/mo (including food stamps) which will help you out alot more.

Answer 9

According to *the rules*, YES. The American "Social Security" system has become a method of lifestyle (not by choice for many) to sustain during life.

You mention that you have already "earned enough credits" to begin receiving Soc. Sec. benefits. Also, depending upon your state (locale) you might be elegible for additional benefits. - I would investigate these (in many instances, this is quite a sum!) options to your situation.

Answer 10

Yes you can receive disability for life. You will receive a small cost of living raise every year.

Answer 11

It depends. Are you receiving SSI? If so, yes you'll receive that as long as the diagnosis of "permanent" remains and as long as you're unable to find gainful employment.

It's hard to answer your question unless I know if you're collecting social security (which you paid into) or SSI (which is determined only by disability status).