| When your stream of income dries up because you | | | | income sources, such as a pension, are not considered |
| have a disability and can't work, you may be able to | | | | when factoring the amount of your monthly cash |
| get disability insurance benefits from the Social | | | | benefit. |
| Security Administration (SSA). | | | | How much could you get a month? Here's some |
| Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) | | | | estimated figures based on annual earnings prior to |
| benefits takes time and effort, but if you get approved, | | | | becoming disabled: |
| the payoff is worth it. | | | | Annual Earnings Estimated Range of Monthly Cash |
| SSDI provides income replacement for people who | | | | Benefit |
| have paid Social Security taxes for a total of five | | | | $25,000 $878 to $1,068 |
| years within the past 10 years but haven't been able to | | | | $50,000 $1,329 to $1,519 |
| work for at least a year because of a disability. Your | | | | $75,000 $1,782 to $1,972 |
| medical condition must meet SSA's definition of a | | | | $100,000 $2,078 to $2,268 |
| disability that is preventing you from earning above the | | | | When to Expect Steady Benefits |
| level of substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is the | | | | Once you get through SSA's approval process and |
| ability to perform work for pay or profit. The 2009 | | | | are deemed eligible for benefits, you must wait a |
| SGA amount is $940 per month and $1,570 per month | | | | mandatory five full months before receiving your first |
| for a visual disability. The SGA amount will increase in | | | | benefit payment. You will also be awarded a |
| 2010 to $1,000 per month, and $1,640 respectively. | | | | retroactive lump sum representing the period of time it |
| How SSA Calculates Cash Benefits | | | | took to get through the application process. Disability |
| When you were working, you paid Social Security | | | | benefits continue for as long as your medical condition |
| (FICA) taxes. SSA divides up the years you worked | | | | doesn't improve and you are unable to work. |
| into quarters. Every quarter in your life that you | | | | When you reach retirement age, your disability benefit |
| worked contributed to your SSDI benefit, so, your | | | | automatically transfers into your Social Security |
| monthly SSDI cash benefit is based on your lifetime | | | | retirement benefit and the amount stays the same. |
| average earnings. It is the same formula used to | | | | There is nothing you need to do for this transfer to |
| calculate retirement benefits. | | | | occur. |
| Other factors do affect the amount of your monthly | | | | Apply to Get the SSDI Benefits You Deserve |
| disability benefit, such as if you are receiving Workers' | | | | If you believe you qualify for Social Security Disability |
| Compensation or other public disability payments. If you | | | | Insurance benefits, get the application process started |
| are receiving these benefits, your monthly SSDI benefit | | | | now, because it can take months to reach final |
| will be reduced so that your total disability benefits do | | | | approval. |
| not exceed 80 percent of the average current | | | | You can apply online at the SSA Web site, or get help |
| earnings made before your disability. Other private | | | | from a Social Security Disability Advocate or Attorney. |