Handling a disability is always a challenge.

The federal government acknowledges that individuals with disabilities need support.

They designed Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for that reason.

This is a federal assistance program that can offer help to those who need it.

Many individuals may not know that this program is an option they could benefit from.

This article will let you know what SSDI is, how it can help you, and more!

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

This federal assistance program is available from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

It can offer benefits to eligible people and qualifying household members but they have to be “insured.”

To be “insured,” individuals will need to:

Have an eligible employment history
Pay Social Security taxes on their wages

Applying for SSDI

If you are interested in applying for this program, it is simpler than you think.

You have the chance to apply on the phone, online, or in person.

Whichever way you apply for the program, you can generally expect to go through the following steps:

You will need to gather documents and other information for the application process. You can use a great tool from the SSA, the Adult Disability Checklist. This checklist will help you figure out what information you would need to complete the application.
Once you have all the documents you need, you will need to complete your application and send it in.
The SSA will process your application to find out if you meet some of the basic eligibility criteria for disability benefits. Also, they will look through your employment history. This includes looking through whether you worked for enough years, analyzing any current employment activities, etc.
After looking through your application, the SSA will send it to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
Once the Disability Determination Services office gets your application they will be able to make their disability determination.

Information You Need to Present for SSDI Application

When it comes to relevant information that you should present for the application, there is basic personal information that you should offer.

While you can look through the Adult Disability Checklist to verify, you would probably need to offer the following information:

Your date and place of birth
Social Security number
The information mentioned above on your current or previous spouse
Relevant marriage information (if applicable) such as when and where you were married, your divorce date, and more
Name of any kids that are less than the age of 18
Date of birth for any kids that are less than the age of 18
Financial information
Contact information of a person that is knowledgeable on your medical conditions
Relevant information about your medical condition including your doctor, medication, and so on
The amount you expect to make this coming year
The amount you earned last year
Your employer’s information
A list of at most five jobs that you worked in the previous 15 years before you could not be able to work

How Much Could You Receive from SSDI?

On average, individuals that receive disability benefits from SSDI receive $1,537 per month for 2024.

There is a possibility that people can get more than that! The specific amount of benefits that a person can get is based on their current situation.

When Will You Receive Your SSDI Benefits?

It is important to remember that there is a waiting period for these benefits.

Generally, it takes about five months before a recipient can receive their benefits.

The first payment will arrive on the sixth full month after the SSA determines your disability date.

Eligible Disabilities for SSDI

The best method to find out if your disability would be eligible for SSDI is by applying.

There is a wide range of medical conditions that can qualify!

There are some common disabilities, which include:

Chronic Kidney Disease
Dermatitis
Epilepsy
Different types of cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Blindness
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Anxiety

You should remember that the SSA offers this program.

Social Security, on the other hand, only offers coverage for total disability which means short-term disabilities or partial disabilities do not qualify for benefits.

An eligible disability must:

Not allow the applicant to work or participate in any substantial gainful activity (SGA)
Lead to the applicant not being able to work, especially work that could have been done before
Be expected to stay for at least one year or lead to death

It is important to remember that once you start getting SSDI benefits, they will transform into retirement benefits once you reach the retirement age.

Other Assistance Programs to Think About

Other than SSDI, there might be other programs that can assist. Some programs include:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

When eligible people have restricted income and limited resources, they might be able to benefit from SSI.

However, those people need to be either blind, have a disability, or be at least the age 65.

The maximum benefit amount that individuals can get is:

$943 for an individual
$1,415 for a couple

If you have a disability and want to gain from this program, then the application process can be very similar to the SSDI.

It is important to remember that just having a disability does not necessarily make you eligible for SSI.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

When individuals require assistance with grocery expenses, they can gain from SNAP.

This program can offer eligible recipients payments each month.

The money that people get will be deposited into an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

Recipients can use these funds at stores that allow EBT cards as a form of payment.

An EBT card can only be used to buy eligible groceries.

Eligible food items include milk, fruits, vegetables, cereal, and so on.

Some food items that recipients will not be able to buy include alcohol, supplements, and so on.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The final alternative option to think about on this list is the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Many individuals know this program as Section 8.

This program can offer eligible recipients housing vouchers.

Recipients can use these housing vouchers on the price of housing costs in the private market.

Not every property allows these vouchers as a type of payment.

Furthermore, the properties that allow this type of payment must pass the inspection that the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) sets.

Bottom Line

If you have a disability that is stopping you from working, you are not the only one.

The federal government has support options such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

This program highlights assisting people who have a qualifying disability and who have an eligible employment history.

On average, individuals receive $1,537 a month for 2024, but it can be more than that! Other than this program, individuals might benefit from other alternative options such as:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

No matter what your situation is, it is important to remember that there might be more options than you think for relief.

For more information, you could reach out to your local Social Security office.

Also, you can find detailed information online thanks to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits