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Seven Things You Want to Know about Social Security Disability Payments

When people apply for Disability benefits, they always want to know how much their Social Security Disability payments will be and when they will start.

The short answer is: “It depends.”

Your monthly payout will hinge on a variety of factors, including which federal Disability program you qualify for:  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

So while you may have to wait until the end of the Disability process to find out the specifics of your situation, you can still get a good idea of what to expect down the road. Here are seven things you want to know about Social Security Disability payments:

Talk to our Social Security Disability Team. Call 855-702-9061.
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disability tip 1 - SSDHelpNow.com
How Much You Could Receive.

How much you could receive in Social Security Disability payments depends on whether you get approved for SSI or SSDI. Both programs offer cash benefits to disabled individuals who cannot work, but they are actually very different.

SSI is basically a welfare program that provides cash to disabled individuals who have never worked or have worked very little. The other option, SSDI, which is also commonly referred to as SSD, is available to disabled workers who have paid into the system through payroll contributions (FICA taxes withheld from your paychecks.)

SSDI

If you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, the amount of your monthly benefit depends on how long your worked and paid taxes into the system. The Social Security Administration uses a complicated formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your monthly benefit, which could range from a several hundred dollars to more than $2,600.

In addition to yourself, your spouse and children may also be eligible for monthly Social Security Disability payments, which are referred to auxiliary benefits.

  • In 2016, the maximum monthly benefit amount is $2,639.
  • In 2015, the average monthly payment for a disabled worker was $1,165.
  • The average monthly payment for a spouse of a disabled worker in 2015 was about $318.
  • The average monthly payment for a child of a disabled worker in 2015 was about $350.

SSI

If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income, the amount of your monthly Disability payment depends on where you live and how much monthly income and assets you have. The program is designed to provide cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.

  • In 2016, the maximum monthly benefit amount is $733 for an individual.
  • In 2016, the maximum monthly benefit amount for a couple is $1,100.
  • In 2015, the average monthly payment for an SSI recipient was $541.
Talk to our Social Security Disability Team. Call 855-702-9061.
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disability tip 2 - SSDHelpNow.com
When Benefits Start.

SSDI

If you get approved for SSDI, there is a mandatory five-month waiting period before the Social Security Administration sends your first payment. Your will receive your first payment during the sixth full month after Social Security determined your Disability began.

Because there is a backlog of Disability cases, however, most individuals will have already served the five-month waiting period by the time they get approved for benefits. Because of the backlog, you will likely also be entitled to back pay or retroactive benefits.

SSI

There is no waiting period for SSI Disability benefits. You will start receiving monthly payments shortly after being approved. You may also be entitled to back pay.

disability tip 3 - SSDHelpNow.com
How You Get Paid.

In March 2013, a law went into effect requiring everyone to receive Social Security Disability payments electronically. This is the case regardless of whether you receive SSI or SSDI payments.

Once you get approved, you can sign up for direct deposit, which sends payments directly into your bank account. Or, if you don’t have a bank account, you can sign up for the Direct Express card program and have your benefits deposited into a debit card account.

disability tip 4 - SSDHelpNow.com
When You Get Paid.

SSDI

SSDI benefits are paid each month; the day you receive them depends on your birthday.

  • Individuals with birthdays that fall between the 1st and 10th of the month are paid on the second Wednesday of the month.
  • Birthdays between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday of the month.
  • Birthdays between the 21st and 31st are paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

If your payment date lands on a federal holiday, you will receive your payment on the nearest preceding day that is not a holiday.

SSI

SSI benefits are paid on the first day of each month, unless it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. In that case, your benefits will be paid on the banking day before the weekend or holiday. For example, if the first day of the month falls on a Saturday, you should receive your payment the Friday before.

** The Social Security Administration’s 2016 calendar shows the scheduled dates for all Social Security Disability payments, including SSI and SSID.

Talk to our Social Security Disability Team. Call 855-702-9061.
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disability tip 5 - SSDHelpNow.com
How Long You Can Collect.

In general, your Disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you cannot work. Once you hit retirement age, your benefits will simply change over. This is true for both SSDI and SSI.

If you collect SSDI, your monthly benefits will become Social Security Retirement benefits. If you collect SSI, your payments will become SSI for the elderly.

disability tip 6 - SSDHelpNow.com
Social Security Disability Payments and Taxes.

SSDI

In general, if SSDI is your only source of income, you will not have to pay taxes on your Disability benefits. You will only have to pay taxes if you have substantial income in addition to your SSDI benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, only about one-third of all individuals receiving SSDI will have to pay taxes. You may have to pay taxes if:

  • You file a tax return as an “individual” and your income is more than $25,000.
  • You file a joint tax return and you and your spouse share a combined income of more than $32,000.
  • You are married and file a separate return, you will probably have to pay taxes on your benefits.

SSI

Supplemental Security Income is not taxable.

disability tip 7 - SSDHelpNow.com
How an Experienced Disability Lawyer Can Help.

As you can probably already tell, Social Security Disability is confusing ― and we haven’t even scratched the surface. The system is rife with complicated regulations and complex formulas. It is very difficult to navigate and it is not uncommon for claims to get denied, especially during the initial stage of the process.

If you have applied or are considering applying for Disability benefits, we urge you to contact an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer. The seasoned staff and attorneys at McDonald Law Firm would be happy to evaluate your circumstances, determine which federal program you fall under, fill out and submit your application and handle the entire process for you.

We will fight to get you the maximum amount for which you are entitled. Best of all, it won’t cost you a thing up front. We work on contingency, which means we only get paid if we are successful at winning you benefits. Even then, our fees are capped by the federal government and taken out of your back pay award (most successful Disability applicants win back pay.)

We understand that you are facing a dire situation and probably needed Social Security Disability payments yesterday. Don’t wait another day to get started. Call us today at 855-702-9061.

Talk to our Social Security Disability Team. Call 855-702-9061.
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Categories

  • Disabiity FAQs (27)
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  • Disability Myths (8)
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does Disability pay?
  • How long does it take to get Disability?
  • What medical conditions qualify for Social Security Disability?
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Disability Forms

  • SSA-16: Social Security Disability Application Form
  • SSA-3369: Social Security Disability Work History Report
  • SSA-3373: The Function Report
  • SSA-3368: Adult Disability Report
  • SSA-827: Social Security Disability Medical Release Form
  • SSA-3441: Social Security Disability Appeal Form
  • SSA-561: Request for Reconsideration
  • HA-501: Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge

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We file Disability claims every day. It’s what we do. We know how to cut through the red tape to help get the benefits you need.

We only get paid if you win.

The federal government pays us when the case is over – and only if we win. If we aren’t successful, we don’t collect. It’s that simple.

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Whether you’re just beginning the Disability process or have found yourself overwhelmed in the middle of it all, we can help.
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