Social Security Benefits and Disability
Social security regulations are labyrinthine, and working out which social security benefits you are allowed to receive can be challenging. To help you, here are some answers to common questions about disability benefits received through Social Security.
You will not be able to get partial disability benefits through SSA. Disability social security benefits are available only to people who are completely disabled and have been so (or are expected to be so) for at least a year. If you need partial disability, you will have to apply through a state or local disability program. You will still be able to receive state and local disability benefits if SSA denies your application because you are not completely disabled.
However, if you are disabled but able to work for short periods or at a low level, you may be able to continue working while receiving social security benefits. The state agency that handles your case will consider how much you can earn. If your annual earnings fall under a certain amount, you will still be considered eligible for disability. The agency will measure your total POTENTIAL earnings, not your total REAL earnings: If you could earn above the minimum by changing to a different job that you are trained to do and physically capable of doing, then you will be considered ineligible for social security benefits. You will not be pushed beyond your limits and asked to do work you are not capable of doing. The state agency takes into account applicants’ health, age, experience, and education when evaluating which jobs they are suited to do. Help is available for applicants who need assistance at moving from a lower paying job to a job that would enable them to support themselves.
Many applicants are told by their doctors that there is no further treatment for their condition, but their social security agents ask them to continue visiting doctors. If you are in this position, there is an explanation! First, your regular doctors may not be able to provide all of the information the state agency needs to evaluate your case. The agency will arrange for you to see a doctor who has the specialized experience or equipment necessary to complete the examination. The examination is part of your case evaluation, not a part of your treatment plan.
Second, disability is not always permanent, and even untreatable conditions can improve. Regular examinations to chart the progress of your health are essential. Your health may improve enough that you can return to work, even without medical treatment.
And third, medical science comes up with treatments for “untreatable” conditions every year. Why miss out on a cure because you stopped going to the doctor out of resignation? It is a small nuisance compared to the huge lifestyle benefits you could reap.