What Are Social Security Disability Benefits?
Social Security disability benefits are paid monthly to workers by the Social Security Administration who are:
- Unable to work for at least one year; and
- Meet certain prior work requirements
Additionally, these benefits may be paid to disabled widows of workers who have died and to the children of disabled workers.
Social Security disability benefits are not equivalent to Supplemental Security income benefits which are smaller amounts paid to disabled individuals who have not met the prior work requirements of Social Security disability. They are also not equivalent to regular Social Security retirement benefits which are paid after a worker has reached a certain age without regard to their physical health.
If you are found eligible for benefits, you will receive a monthly check beginning with the seventh month after you are found disabled. You will continue to receive benefits until:
- You are no longer considered disabled; or
- The tenth month after you have returned to work
The amount you will receive is based on your monthly earnings over your lifetime. It is roughly equivalent to the amount you would receive every month if you were now eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. If you are currently receiving workers' compensation benefits the amount you receive fro Social Security disability may be reduced. In addition, two years after becoming eligible for Social Security disability, you may also receive Medicare benefits.