Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Benefits
Are you eligible for social security benefits? If so, which ones? The eligibility requirements are complex, and determining whether you qualify can be intensely frustrating. To work out which disability benefits you may be able to receive, and to find out whether you will be able to earn an income while receiving disability, read on.
Does SSA offer partial disability benefits?
No, you cannot qualify for disability benefits through Social Security if your disability is partial or short term. Social security benefits are available only to applicants who are completely disabled and whose disability is considered likely to last at least a year. (Note that people who qualify for disability benefits may collect benefits while working as long as their maximum possible income is lower than a SSA determined income cap.)
I am able to work, but not at the level I used to, nor can I earn the same money I used to. Can I still file for social security benefits?
Yes, you can file for disability benefits if you are making less than a certain amount per month, averaged over a full year. Social Security changes the maximum income level yearly. You can find the current limit in the official SSA web site or in official SSA booklets.
However, your current income is not the only number the state agency will consider when evaluating your case. If you could make more money by switching to another job, you will be ineligible for disability benefits. The state agency will take into account your medical condition, education, skills, work experience, and age when determining whether you could move to another job, so you will not be required to do work that you are not well enough to do or that you have not been trained to do.
According to my doctors, there are no effective treatments for my condition, so why do I have to continue to make office visits?
When you first file for social security benefits, the state agency that manages your case will need a complete evaluation of your health, a process that may require repeated doctors’ visits. The doctors you usually go to may not be able to provide enough information; for example, you may need tests or equipment that your doctor does not have. In that case, the state agency may arrange for you to be examined by another doctor.
After you have been ruled eligible for disability benefits, regular examinations will be necessary to track the state of your health. Not all disabilities are permanent; you may improve enough to return to work, even if there is no medical treatment that can speed your improvement along.