Social Security Disability Insurance 5022853 225527903 2008-07-14T04:10:20Z 69.211.10.56 /* Differences between SSDI and Long Term Disability Insurance */ added Part D drug benefits '''Social Security Disability Insurance''' ('''SSDI''') is a payroll tax-funded, [[Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax|federal insurance]] program of the [[United States government]]. SSDI, managed by the [[Social Security Administration]], is designed to provide income to people who are unable to work because of a [[disability]]. SSDI is intended to be provided until their condition improves, and is intended to guarantee income if the individual's condition does not improve. There is a [[social stigma]] against people who collect [[Welfare (financial aid)|welfare]]. This stigma can extend to people who collect SSDI, although SSDI is not a welfare program. SSDI is a [[social insurance]] program, and benefits are only granted after a lengthy determination process, whereby the applicant must prove that they are disabled. Informal names for SSDI include ''Disability Insurance Benefits'' (DIB) and ''Title II benefits'', named for the chapter title of the governing section of the [[Social Security Act]]. ==Qualification== According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a person qualifies for SSDI if they: *have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from engaging in any "substantial gainful work", and *the condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and *they are under the age of 65, and *have worked 5 out of the last 10 years<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/Social_Security/Disability_Insurance/prweb541530.htm |title= Allsup Explains What Someone Needs to Know Before They Apply for Social Security Disability |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work= |publisher=PRWeb}}</ref> The work requirement is waived for applicants who can prove that they became disabled at or before the age of 22, as these individuals may be allowed to collect on their parent's or parents' work credits. The parent(s) experience no loss of benefits. Medical evidence that demonstrates the applicant's inability to work is required. The applicant may meet a SSA medical listing for their condition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm |title= Listing of Impairments - Adult Listings |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |publisher= [[Social Security Administration]]}}</ref> If their condition does not meet the requirements of a listing, their residual functional capacity is considered, along with their age, past relevant work, and education, in determining their ability to perform either their past work, or other work generally available in the national economy. ==Wait time for applications== The amount of time it takes for an application to be approved or denied varies, depending on the level of the process at which the award is made. In 2006, there were 2,532,264 applications for SSDI.<ref name=performancesection>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssa.gov/finance/2006/Performance_Section.pdf |title=Performance Section |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format=PDF |work= |publisher=[[Social Security Administration]] }}</ref> As of March 31, 2007, the number of pending applications (or "backlog") was 1,463,153.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=5438 |title=Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Social Security of the House Committee on Ways and Means |author=Sylvester J. Schieber, Chairman, Social Security Advisory Board |date=February 14, 2007 |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work= |publisher= }}</ref> Experts have asserted that this backlog is being caused by the increase in applicants, the increase in retiring SSA workers, the inability of the SSA to replace the retiring workers and budget limitations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/7/prweb543829.htm prweb.com |title=AAPD and Allsup Release State Rankings for Disability Backlogs |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work= |publisher= PRWeb}}</ref> The [[Social Security Administration]] estimates that the initial benefits application will take 90-120 days, but in practice filings can take up to eight months to complete. The appeals process for denied filings can likewise take 90 days to well over a year to get a hearing, depending on caseloads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.socialsecurityhome.com/disabilityblog/2008/05/06/navigating-the-lengthy-social-security-application-process/|title=Navigating the Lengthy Social Security Application Process|accessdate=2008-06-09 }}</ref> In an attempt to speed up the application process, beginning in August of 2006, the SSA implemented changes to the application process in the six-state [[New England]] region, on a trial basis. On December 1, 2007, the SSA implemented the program nationwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/qdd-process-pr.htm |title=Commissioner Astrue Extends Social Security’s Quick Disability Determination Nationwide: Final Rule Will Accelerate Benefits to Those Deemed Clearly Disabled |date=September 5, 2007 |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work=Press release |publisher=[[Social Security Administration]] }}</ref> ===Timetable=== The SSA provided a table of average wait times which were current through the end of fiscal year 2006.<ref name=performancesection /> These times include awards and denials. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Level ! Name ! Wait time (days) |- | 1 | Initial application | 88 |- | 2 | Reconsideration | ''no data'' |- | 3 | Hearing | 483 |- | 4 | Appeals Council | 203 |- | 5 | [[United States district court|Federal district court]] | ''no data'' |- |} ==Likelihood of receiving benefits== Nationwide statistics provided by the SSA in 2005 stated that 52 percent of all SSDI applications are ultimately approved.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_process_welcome_2005.htm |title=Flow of Cases Through The Disability Process: Fiscal Year 2005 |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work= |publisher=[[Social Security Administration]] }}</ref> In these statistics, the breakdown of approvals and denials at each level were: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Level ! Approval % ! Denial % ! % of denials appealed |- | Initial application | 36 | 64 | 34 |- | Reconsideration | 14 | 86 | 100 |- | Hearing | 63 | 37 | 43 |- | Appeals Council | 33 | 67 | no further appeals, goes to Federal district court |- |} ==Differences between SSDI and Long Term Disability Insurance== {{rewrite-section}} {{main|Disability insurance}} *Social Security provides a regular monthly payment that supplements any current disability benefits already received.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} It also provides annual cost of living increases. A portion of these benefits may be tax free. *Regardless of a person's age, after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, they are eligible for [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]], including Part A (hospital benefits), Part B (medical benefits), and Park D (drug benefits). *Once a person is entitled to Medicare, they are also eligible for Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug plan. *If a person receives Social Security disability benefits, any [[Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985|COBRA]] benefits may also be extended from 18 to 29 months.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} *Social Security disability entitlement "freezes" Social Security earnings records during a person's period of disability. Because those years will not be counted when computing future benefits, their Social Security retirement benefits may be higher. *If a person receives Social Security disability benefits and they have a dependent under age 18, he or she may also be eligible for benefits. *Social Security will provide a person opportunities to return to work while still paying them disability benefits. ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== *''[http://ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm Social Security Disability Starter Kit]'' *''[http://connections.govbenefits.gov/ssa_en.portal B.E.S.T The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool]'' ==External links== * [http://www.ssa.gov/disability/ Disability Programs]; Social Security Administration * [http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/DSI-pr.htm Press release] on new Social Security Disability determination process * [http://www.workrerc.org Workplace Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center] [[Category:Social Security (United States)| ]] [[Category:Disability]]