Social Security Disability Information | Minnesota Attorneys Lord and Faris.

What is the Difference Between Social Security Disability Income (SSDI); Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Securtiy?

• What are social security disability income benefits (ssdi)?
• What is supplemental security income (ssi)?
• What are age based social security benefits?
• How it works if you are denied your benefits:
• How to appeal a rejection for ssdi benefits:
• What must i pay to hire an experienced attorney?
• If you qualify for social security disability benefits you also qualify for medicare:
• Medicare has four parts:

1. Medicare insurance part a:
2. Medicare insurance part b:
3. Medicare insurance part c:
4. Medicare insurance part d:

What is The Difference Between Social Security Disability Income (SSDI); Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ans Social Security?

I. WHAT ARE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME BENEFITS (SSDI)?

The definition of “Disability” under Social Security Rules is based on your inability to work. The Social Security Office considers you disabled under Social Security rules if:

• You cannot do work that you did before.
• Social Security decides that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical or mental condition(s).
• Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death.
• Eligible candidates must be younger than 65 and have worked at least five out of the last ten years.
• Disabled people who qualify should receive SSDI until their condition improves.

This is a strict definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers’ compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm

II. What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/

1. SSI makes monthly payments to people who have
a. low income and are age 65 or older or
b. who are blind or
c. disabled.
2. Disabled or blind children also can receive SSI.
3. This is a cash assistance program whish based on an individual’s need, not on an individual’s work history. SSI is financed from general revenues, not Social Security taxes. This is set up for the blind, disabled, and elderly people with little or no income by providing them with a monthly check to pay for food, clothing, and shelter. People who receive SSI are usually also eligible to receive monthly food stamps and Medicaid.
4. If you get Social Security benefits, you must also have limited income and resources (things you own), to qualify for SSI.
5. The government does not count some of your income and some of your resources when they decide whether you are eligible for SSI. Your house and your car, for example, usually are not counted as resources.

III. WHAT ARE AGE BASED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?

Typically, Social Security benefits are based on age and are paid either before retirement age (early retirement) or at retirement age and that age keeps increasing over the years.
Throughout your work life, you have paid Social Security taxes on your earnings up to a certain amount. That amount increases each year to keep pace with wages. In 2010, that amount is $106,800. In addition, you have also paid Medicare taxes on all of your wages or net earnings from self-employment which are used for Medicare coverage once you have attained retirement age. Currently, the retirement age is 66 years.

a. Children can qualify for social security. In fact, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other government program.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm

IV. HOW IT WORKS IF YOU ARE DENIED YOUR BENEFITS:

In most Minnesota disability cases (either for social security disability or SSI disability) the initial claim is denied. Do not be discouraged. Most probably, you have been unable to provide the required medical support for your claim. That is what we do best. We know how to evaluate your medical records and/or to talk to your doctor about your condition. We know what questions that are important to ask your medical professional and we know how to organize your medical records to best support your claim.

V. HOW TO APPEAL A REJECTION FOR SSDI BENEFITS:

If your claim has been turned down, make sure that your rejection is appealed within 60 days, or you must start all over again. Once you receive your denial, call us immediately. We want to give you the help you need.

The best way to get your claim accepted is to appear at a hearing before an administrative law judge (who specializes in disability cases). Of course, do not go to a hearing without an attorney because few individuals who file for disability will have any knowledge of how the social security administration’s disability programs actually work.

You must have an attorney at the hearing that understands the law and is experienced in this area. Disability hearings are difficult to prepare for and require methodical preparation because you only have one hearing at which to present your claim. This single opportunity is too important to “wing it.” It takes a long time to get on the judge’s appointment calendar. Do everything you can do to make sure your case is presented in the best way possible and that requires that you hire an experienced attorney who is willing to put in the maximum amount of effort on your behalf.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10041.html

VI. WHAT MUST I PAY TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY?

You do not have to pay unless you win the appeal. If you win your case, the Department will pay you your back pay since the application was made. The attorney or the representative is entitled to one-fourth of the claimant’s back pay. However, there is a cap, or maximum limit, on the fee that a representative can be paid. And that maximum is $6000.

http://www.ssa.gov/representation/rep_fees_before_a_court.htm

VII. IF YOU QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS YOU ALSO QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE:

http://www.medicare.gov/

1. Medicare is our country’s basic health insurance program for people age 65 or older and many people with disabilities.
2. You should not confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid is a health care program for people with low income and limited resources. It is usually run by state welfare or social services agencies. Some people qualify for one or the other, while some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
3. If you get Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you will qualify for hospital insurance on your two year anniversary.
4. If you get Social Security disability benefits because you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), you do not have to wait 24 months to qualify.
5. Also, people who have permanent kidney failure that requires maintenance dialysis or a kidney replacement qualify for hospital insurance if they have worked long enough or if they are the spouse or child of a worker who qualifies.

VIII. MEDICARE HAS FOUR PARTS:

1. MEDICARE INSURANCE (PART A)
What does Part A provide?
It helps pay for inpatient hospital care and certain follow-up services.
Who is eligible for hospital insurance (Part A)?
Most people get hospital insurance when they turn 65. You qualify for it automatically if you are eligible for Social Security Disability or Railroad Retirement benefits. Or you may qualify based on a spouse’s (including a divorced spouse’s) work. Others qualify because they are government employees not covered by Social Security who paid the Medicare tax.
If you get Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you will qualify for hospital insurance.
If you get Social Security disability benefits because you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), you do not have to wait 24 months to qualify.
Also, people who have permanent kidney failure that requires maintenance dialysis or a kidney replacement qualify for hospital insurance if they have worked long enough or if they are the spouse or child of a worker who qualifies.

2. MEDICARE INSURANCE PART B:
What does Part B provide?
Medical insurance (Part B) helps pay for doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care and other medical services.

Who is eligible for medical insurance (Part B)?
Almost anyone who is eligible for hospital insurance can sign up for medical insurance. Part B is an optional program. It is not free. In 2008, the standard monthly premium is $96.40. Some people with higher incomes pay higher premiums.

3. MEDICARE INSURANCE PART C:
What does Part C provide?
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through a provider organization under Part C.
Who can is eligible for Medicare Advantage plans (Part C)?
Anyone who has Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) can join a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans include:
Medicare managed care plans;
Medicare preferred provider organization (PPO) plans;
Medicare private fee-for-service plans; and
Medicare specialty plans.
You might have to pay an additional monthly premium because of the extra benefits the Medicare Advantage plan offers.

4. MEDICARE INSURANCE PART D
What does Part D provide?
Prescription drug coverage (Part D) helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for medical treatment.
Who is eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D)?
Anyone who has Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) or medical insurance (Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) is eligible for prescription drug coverage (Part D). Prescription insurance is optional, and you pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage.

Help with Medicare expenses for people with low income. If you have a low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other “out-of-pocket” medical expenses, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide whether you qualify for help under this program. If you think you qualify, contact your state or local medical assistance (Medicaid) agency, social services or welfare office.
You can go online to get more information about this program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.

http://www.medicare.gov/

Extra help with Medicare Prescriptions: www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/index.aspx

Disability Programs:

1. http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
3. http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/index.htm
4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
5. http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/
6. Social Security Office of Employment Support Programs
7. http://www.ssa.gov/work/index2.html
8. Social Security Offices in Minnesota
9. http://www.ssa.gov/chicago/minnesota.htm http:///
10. Social Security Offices Locater – Locate your nearest office by entering your zip code
11. http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html
12. Social Security Handbook – Everything you want to know about Social Security
13. http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/ssa-hbk.htm
14. General Social Security Site
15. http://www.ssa.gov
16. Social Security Disability Planner
17. http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm
18. disAbility.gov
19. http://www.disability.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do%3fparentFolderId=500
20. Printable Content