1. How does Social Security determine if you’re disabled?
Based on a medical condition, you must be unable to do the work you previously performed, and you must not be able to do other work. Your disability must last for a year, be expected to last a year, or result in death within a year.
2. Do you have to wait a year to apply for benefits?
It is recommended to apply for benefits as soon as you become disabled because the application can take several months to complete. Please remember that there are no short-term disability benefits under the Social Security Act.
3. When will I get my first disability check?
Disability benefits are only paid after you’ve been continuously disabled for five consecutive months. So, the first month you will be able to receive disability benefits is the sixth month after your disability began.
4. Can I get both disability and SSI benefits?
Yes…if your Social Security benefit is low enough for you to qualify. When you apply for disability benefits, apply for both disability and SSI benefits to see if you qualify for both.
5. Can a disabled child qualify for benefits?
Yes. A disabled child may qualify for benefits under either SSI or disability program.
A child younger than 18 years of age may be entitled to SSI benefits if he or she meets the disability and income/resources requirements under the Act.
Under the disability program, an adult child may receive monthly benefits if they meet the disability requirement, the disability began before age 22, and the adult child’s parent is receiving retirement or disability benefits, or the parent is deceased.