This list is in the Social Security Blue Book. However, if your medical condition is not on the list, do not lose hope. In some cases, you can still receive approval for benefits for other conditions. Each case ultimately receives a decision based on its own merit.
Some of the most common health conditions approved for SSD benefits are in the following list:
Also in the Social Security Blue Book are conditions like bipolar disorder or other mental health illnesses. If you have a blood disorder, kidney disease or a skin disorder, you might also qualify for SSD benefits. When filling out an application, it is important to include as much detail as possible regarding how your condition keeps you from being able to earn an income.
As mentioned earlier, the fact that your specific condition is not in the Social Security Blue Book of approved conditions does not necessarily mean you will not be eligible for SSD benefits. If you can demonstrate that your condition is as severe as those listed in the book and prevents you from being able to work, you may still qualify to collect benefits. There are also certain conditions that merit an expedited ruling, as well as separate approval listings for children’s health conditions.
If your SSD petition is denied, this is also not a reason to lose hope. There is an appeals process through which you may request a secondary review of your application. In fact, the SSA approved many Ohio applicants after an appeal when their initial claims received a denial. Before filing an appeal, it’s a good idea to speak with someone who is knowledgeable about SSD. In fact, doing so before filing an initial application may increase your chances of obtaining approval for benefits the first time around.
]]>One of the requirements is that your income must be $1,470 or less every month. Your injury or health condition must prevent you from working, and you must have experienced these limitations for at least one year before applying for SSD benefits. If your condition is not on the list of eligible conditions, try not to lose hope. The Social Security Administration (SSA) may review your case and make an individual decision.
Many SSD benefits recipients worry that they will lose their benefits when they turn 65. Full SSA retirement age, however, is 66 or 67. Your birthday determines which. When you reach the SSA’s full retirement age, your benefits will convert to Social Security retirement benefits. If, for example, you were born in or after 1960, then 67 is the full retirement age that applies to you.
You don’t have to do anything on your end to activate the transition. It is an automatic update in the system. There are certain issues that may spark a reduction in benefits, though, so it’s best to seek guidance ahead of time so that you know what to expect. In some cases, such as if you’re receiving a widow’s or widower’s SSD benefits, you do need to contact the SSA when you reach full retirement age.
If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it may be possible to simultaneously collect SSD benefits or Social Security retirement benefits. If so, you might want to research the regulations that govern these programs. In many cases, when you receive SSI and are also eligible for benefits under one of the other programs, the government will reduce your overall benefits.
Understanding the differences between SSD, SSI and Social Security retirement benefits can be challenging, especially if you have no experience or background in elder law issues. Thankfully, there are many resources available to obtain guidance and support so that you have an easier time navigating the system and can be sure you are receiving the maximum number of benefits to which you may be entitled.
]]>You’ll be glad to know that you can still apply for Medicaid while you’re waiting for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make a decision regarding your SSD application. This is a separate program from Medicare, although people often mistake them as interchangeable titles. Applying for Medicaid can help secure insurance coverage before your SDD benefits kick in.
Every state has its own requirements for Medicaid eligibility. You’ll want to make sure you understand Ohio regulations before filing an application. One of the benefits of the Medicaid program for people with disabilities is that it’s often possible to receive this coverage simultaneously while collecting SSD benefits. In other words, if you get coverage through Medicaid, then your SSD application has received approval. You do not have to cancel your Medicaid coverage if your income meets Ohio’s qualification requirements.
When you collect SSD benefits, you’re automatically eligible for Medicare. However, this doesn’t mean you have to cancel Medicaid coverage if your income meets the state’s requirements. In fact, this type of dual eligibility is helpful because the Medicaid program often covers expenses that Medicare does not. Health care providers bill Medicare first, as the primary insurance. Medicaid may cover whatever primary insurance does not cover.
Perhaps you’ve already determined that you are not eligible for Medicaid in Ohio. Try not to lose hope because there may be other insurance options available to you so that you can get much-needed treatment as you await the full process of your SSD application. To do so, you can apply for private health insurance. In fact, some companies provide online services that enable you to apply for private insurance at reduced cost.
Eligibility for reduced cost for private health insurance depends on household size and income. The key takeaway here is that there are likely options available for you to obtain insurance coverage and receive treatment during the interim as you await approval for SSD benefits. If you have questions or a problem arises, you can reach out for additional support to help you navigate the system.
]]>The key phrase you’ll want to understand is “substantial gainful activity.” It is this phrase that draws the line between continuing to collect benefits while working and having your benefits cut off. If you are preparing to file a disability claim or currently collecting benefits and are considering going to back to work, you will want to seek clarification on the laws that govern such matters.
If you’re receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the government will stop payments if you achieve substantial gainful activity within a certain amount of time. Substantial gainful activity basically refers to earned income at or above a specific level. As of 2023, the cut-off income amount is $1,470 per month.
For certain disabilities, the cut-off amount may vary. For instance, if blindness is listed as your disability, then your substantial gainful activity limit to work and collect benefits at the same time is $2,460. Under certain programs, you can exceed substantial gainful activity limits.
If a disability has prevented you from being able to work, you might need time to slowly transition back into the workplace. During this transition, you might still rely on SSDI benefitsto help make ends meet at home. You may be able to continue to collect benefits while you take part in a trial program for work.
The trial work program is helpful because you can participate in monthly trials over a period of five years. Regardless how high your income happens to be during this time, you are entitled to continue collecting full SSDI benefits.
The substantial gainful activity income limit is not a standardized number. It changes by the year, depending on changes that may occur regarding national minimum wage requirements and other issues.
You might have questions about income limits in connection with taxes or wonder whether you can work an unlimited number of hours while continuing to collect SSDI benefits. To find answers to your questions or to seek support to help resolve a problem that has arisen, it’s helpful to discuss the issue with someone in Ohio who understands SSDI laws.
]]>The exact type of injuries you have suffered are part of what determines whether you are eligible to collect SSD benefits. The injuries you list on your application must be included on the government's list of approved medical conditions for SSD eligibility. Also, just because your injuries might be on the list doesn't necessarily mean that your request will be granted.
The force of impact in a motor vehicle collision can do a lot of damage to numerous parts of your body. The injuries included in the following list increase the likelihood that your SSD application will be deemed eligible:
Any of these injuries can cause debilitating symptoms that make it impossible for you to earn a living.
Another way in which your injuries can affect your SSD application is the time you have been unable to work. If you have suffered chronic pain, became paralyzed or have another accident-induced condition that makes you unable to work, you must have been unable to work for at least one year before submitting your application.
After describing your injuries in detail and filling out the rest of your application, there will be a waiting period, then you will learn whether your application was accepted or denied. In the case of the latter, try not to be discouraged. It is not uncommon for claims to be denied initially and then approved on appeal.
As for describing your injuries, the more detail, the better. In fact, one reason a claim may get denied is that the applicant's description and explanation of his or her medical condition might be too vague. It's helpful to ask someone who has experience in the SSD benefits process to review your application before submitting it. This is a way to obtain constructive feedback so that your application has the best chance possible to gain approval.
]]>