Skip to main content

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: YOU PAID FOR IT - IT IS NOT WELFARE

VIEWING SOCIAL SECURITY AS AN INSURANCE PROGRAM

The Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) program works very much  like other insurance, much like your auto insurance or homeowners insurance policies.  You pay a premium to be covered, then you may file a claim if you meet the terms of the insurance.  So, SSDI is insurance that you have paid for, just like you pay for your auto or homeowners policies.

Here's how it works:

During your working years, you paid into a mandatory government disability insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  With each paycheck you earned, your employer deducted FICA tax under the (Federal Insurance Contributions Act)--which is the tax that pays for Social Security benefits.  The withholdings are matched dollar-for-dollar by your employer and sent to the Social Security trust funds where they provide disability and retirement insurance coverage for you. After you have paid your FICA taxes long enough, you achieve "insured status" under Social Security insurance.

By paying into the Social Security trust funds out of your wages, you achieve insured status, just like you would by paying the premiums on your auto or homeowners insurance.  If you don't pay in through FICA withholdings you have no Social Security coverage (are not "an insured person).  It's like your other insurance:  if you don't pay the premiums you won't be covered.

But if you have worked enough and recently enough to have "insured status" at Social Security you may file a claim for benefits if you become disabled before your full retirement age.  If you can meet Social Security's definition of "disabled," you can received an insurance benefit from the SSDI trust fund.

So, the two main eligibility requirements for SSDI are:

1.  You have paid a sufficient amount into SSDI and are an "insured person."

2.  You have a medical or mental disability that meets Social Security's requirements for disability.

Thus, Social Security is NOT a type of welfare.  It is a contractual matter between the claimant and the Social Security Administration.  It's something you paid for and earned.   All you have to do is meet the conditions in the policy.  

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RED FLAGS IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASES

  RED FLAGS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE A red flag is something that causes concern or raises a problem in a Social Security disability case.   In short, it’s something that may get the claim denied or cause a big problem. Here are some of the red flags that we see crop up: ·          Work after the alleged onset date (AOD).   Since the process takes so long, many claimants feel that they are forced to return to work for income.   Social Security often sees this as a sign that the claimant is not disabled. ·          Severe substance abuse.   Chronic and frequent abuse of drugs or alcohol can pose problems. ·           A skimpy work record.   A claimant who has worked very little or has jumped from job to job frequently may not have good credibility. ·          Quitting wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO COMPLETE A FUNCTION REPORT OR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FORM

After you apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you will be sent a FUNCTION REPORT to fill out and return.  This form asks a lot of very detailed questions about your daily activities:  driving, cooking, cleaning, dressing, visiting others, hobbies, etc. The Social Security Administration will use your answers to determine whether you can work or not.  You must show on this Function Report that you have limitations that do not permit you to work a full-time job.  You do this by showing your limitations in activities of daily living. Your goal in the Function Report is to show the struggles and challenges you have with everyday life.  It may not be sufficient to answer a question with "Yes" and fail to explain. For example:  "Can you drive?"  If you answer "Yes," Social Security will assume that your ability to drive is unlimited:  you can drive anytime, anywhere and as often or as far as you want.  That may not be true and would need t...
Post a Comment
Read more