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

IF I CHANGE ATTORNEYS WILL IT DELAY MY DISABILITY CASE?

No.  Getting a new attorney will NOT delay your pending Social Security disability claim or appeal .  Your new attorney "inherits" the case and picks up where the other attorney left off.  There is no re-filing or starting over, so your case is not set back or delayed at all.  Social Security maintains an electronic folder stored in its system.  This folder contains every document ever submitted concerning your claim or appeal.  Your new lawyer may log into your electronic files and see, in real time, all the evidence and other documents in your file. While we do not recommend changing attorneys while your case is pending a decision, it is sometimes necessary.  You may need a new lawyer if your attorney dies, retires or  becomes disabled before your case is settled.  You may choose a new attorney without delaying or causing any set back to your case. If you are considering obtaining a lawyer to handle your Social Security disability case in...
Post a Comment
Read more

URGENT MESSAGE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY'S TOP OFFICIAL - February 18, 2025

There is a lot of talk and speculation about Social Security in the new Trump Administration.  The acting commissioner of Social Security recently resigned and Lee Dudek has been appointed the new Acting Director. Today (2/18/2025) I received a message from the new Acting Commissioner Dudek.  Here is part of Director Dudek's message on Social Security for 2025:   Our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time, and providing other critical services people rely on from us. DOGE personnel CANNOT make changes to agency systems, benefit payments, or other information. They only have READ access. DOGE personnel do not have access to data related to a court ordered temporary restraining order, current or future. DOGE personnel must follow the law and if they violate the law they will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.                      ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION PROCESS

  Here is a brief overview of what takes place after you file your Social Security disability application : Application confirmation  – Social Security will mail you a copy of your application to sign. You will have an opportunity to review the application, correct any errors, and send it back to Social Security for processing. You must return the signed application. Social Security will not process your application until they receive your signed confirmation. And they don't send reminders about this. Function report  – Social Security will mail you a form called a function report . This form will ask questions about your personal care, meals, house and yard work, getting around, shopping, money, hobbies and interests, social activities,  and other abilities. This form will help Social Security determine what you can and cannot do on a daily basis. It must be filled out carefully and fully and returned. Work history report  – Social Security will ma...
Post a Comment
Read more